The devastation caused by Typhoon Odette in parts of Visayas and Mindanao has resulted in volunteer groups pooling their resources to reach out to the victims.
Electricity and communications remain cut off in some areas a week after the county’s worst weather disturbance in recent years has left.
The Federation of Volunteers thru Radio Communication (FVRC), an accredited group of the National Telecommunications Commission, set up two-way handheld radios in Central Visayas to connect the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) regional warehouses and field Emergency Operations Centers.
The DSWD said it is thankful to the group for lending a hand.
“The installation of the handheld radios is a reliable way to ensure that communication lines will still be available during the disaster response operations in the region since network signals remain intermittent in Central Visayas,” the DSWD said in a statement on Friday.
The FVRC also coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to install a spare antenna at the DSWD Field Office Central Visayas to connect with the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Environment advocate Greenpeace Philippines also set up a solar-powered charging station in Malinao, Siargao, the tourist spot that was one of the hardest-hit by “Odette”.
STAR POWER. Actress Nadine Lustre, a frequent Siargao Island visitor, joins Greenpeace Philippines to install a solar charging station in Malinao town on Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021). She said she has come to love the island and wants residents to at least have light and reconnect with their loved ones. (Screengrab from Greenpeace Philippines video)
Actress Nadine Lustre joined the group during the installation process.
“Since there’s still no power and no one really knows when its gonna come back. I’m just really happy that everyone’s helping each other. And there’s a lot of people outside the island who wants to help as well,” Lustre said in a video posted by Greenpeace on Thursday.
The DSWD welcomed all forms of help from private groups and non-governmental organizations that want to contribute to relief operations.
“All forms of help are welcome. We need to work together to make sure our fellow Filipinos get proper aid and attention as immediately as possible,” the DSWD said.
Source: Philippines News Agency