Three government agencies have teamed up to launch an aid caravan for communities in Cebu and Masbate hit by recent natural disasters, urging the public to support the effort through donations.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) are leading the relief operation, which aims to distribute food packs, medical supplies and other essential goods to residents affected by the natural calamities.
In a joint statement issued Saturday, PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, MMDA chairperson Romando Artes and LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said the initiative underscores the importance of coordinated government action in times of crisis.
“The enduring spirit of bayanihan (communal unity) reminds us that compassion and solidarity are at the core of our identity as a nation. Every act of generosity, every effort to reach those in need, brings light and hope to our fellow Filipinos who are enduring hardship,” the officials said.
“This mission represents not only the delivery of relief goods, medical supplies, and essential assistance but also the reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to uplift communities struck by tragedy.”
The aid caravan highlights inter-agency cooperation, with PCSO providing funding and supplies, MMDA handling logistics and deployment, and LRTA facilitating collection points for public donations across all LRT Line 2 stations in Metro Manila.
The caravan includes 12 patient transport vehicles, five dump trucks and six wing vans loaded with medical supplies, disaster relief goods, and other essentials bound for Cebu and Masbate.
“Our coordinated efforts ensure that help arrives swiftly and efficiently, reaching even the most remote and affected areas in Cebu and Masbate. Through this collaboration, we extend not just aid but also the assurance that our government stands beside every Filipino family in their journey to recovery,” the officials said.
The agencies called on the public to participate by donating relief goods such as non-perishable food items, hygiene kits, bottled water, blankets and medicines.
All donations will be consolidated and included in future relief efforts, including for remote and underserved areas.
“Even a small contribution becomes part of a greater force of compassion that strengthens our nation,” the joint statement read.
They called on the public to continue embodying the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, especially as many families face the long process of recovery.
“In these challenging times, we call on everyone to keep the spirit of bayanihan alive — to be instruments of kindness and solidarity. Together, let us continue proving that in times of calamity, the Filipino people never falter, never turn away, and never leave one another behind,” they said.
The PCSO has been distributing “charitimba” (charity pail) food packs, medicines and evacuation supply kits, including mosquito nets, blankets, towels, slippers and flashlights, to communities affected by tropical cyclone Opong in Masbate and the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu.
