PCG to send three ships to bring relief goods to quake victims in Batanes

July 31, 2019

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will  deploy three vessels to transport relief goods for people affected by last Saturday's two earthquakes in Batanes.

Capt. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, said relief goods and supplies from the Department of Social Work and Development and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary were loaded at Multi-Role Response Vessel-4402 (BRP Malabrigo) and MRRV-4404 (BRP Capones).

Balilo said relief goods and supplies  "comprised of tents (steel frame and tent cover), sleeping kits, laminated sack roles (lona), boxes of canned goods, noodles, bottled water, toiletries, powdered milk and packs of rice for the affected residents of the recent earthquake at Itbayat, Batanes."

"Three vessels including BFAR’s Multi-Mission Offshore Vessel 5002 (BRP Francisco Dagohoy) have been alerted by PCG Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino to conduct transport mission to Batanes," he said.

Balilo said Hermogino "also joined the Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and other DOTr officials in the inspection of ports and other transport facilities of the affected areas."

"Earlier, PCG deployed its Islander plane with medical doctor teams on board to assist the Department of Health personnel attending to the medical needs of patients affected by the earthquake," he added.

In its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least nine people died and 64 were injured in Itbayat. Robina Asido/DMS