President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo distributing relief goods for the victim of typoon Frank at Iloilo International Airport. (Photo by Jerry Carual / PCPO)

OPS 01 JULY 2008

ILOILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Cabatuan/Sta. Barbara/Pavia, Iloilo – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distributed today relief goods to typhoon-affected residents immediately upon arrival here this afternoon.

Wearing a cream barong pants and blouse ensemble, the President disembarked from the Presidential Fokker plane at 12:45 p.m. and passed through a waiting reception line of Iloilo-based military units and a secondary reception line of American soldiers who are assisting in the rescue and relief operations in the area.

On hand to receive the President were government officials and a throng of typhoon and flood victims who greeted her with cheers upon her arrival. Some of the disaster victims later received directly from her relief packs donated by the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Each relief pack contained four kilos of rice, 12 noodle packs and six sardines.

PAGCOR said it has donated to the typhoon victims here a total of 30,000 relief packs worth P10 million.

Also on hand for the President’s arrival were officers of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce (FCCC) which turned over a check for P10 million for the typhoon victims. In the group were industrialist Lucio Tan and John K. Tan, FFCCC president.

The distribution of PAGCOR relief packs, including blankets, medicines and cooking utensils, were held simultaneously in 10 Iloilo towns through the Philippine Medical Association.

The PAGCOR assistance was coursed through Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia; Mayor Isabelo Maquino of Sta. Barbara; Mayor Vincent Flores of Oton; Mayor Vic Tabaquirao of Tubungan; Mayor Cristin Garin of Guimbal; Mayor Onal Gomez of Dumangcas; Mayor Rigor Brazas of Zaraga; Mayor Rey Ganbalo of Mina; and Mayor Ben Margarito of Januiay.

7/2/2008 - ILOILO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leads the distribution of relief goods donated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office during her recent visit here to the victims of typhoon Frank in Panay Island. (PIA 6)

PIA 2008/07/02
by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (2 July) -- Some 30,000 relief packs were distributed to the typhoon-affected residents by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony held July 1 at the Iloilo Airport.

The Malacanang press report disclosed that the relief goods amounting to P10 million was donated by the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Each relief pack contained four kilos of rice, 12 noodle packs and six sardines.

The distribution of PAGCOR relief packs, including blankets, medicines and cooking utensils were held simultaneously in 10 Iloilo towns through the Philippine Medical Association, Malacanang said.

The PAGCOR assistance was coursed through Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta of Pavia; Mayor Isabelo Maquino of Sta. Barbara; Mayor Vincent Flores of Oton; Mayor Vic Tabaquirao of Tubungan; Mayor Cristin Garin of Guimbal; Mayor Ronaldo Golez of Dumangas; Mayor Rigor Brazas of Zarraga; Mayor Rey Grabato of Mina; and Mayor Ben Margarito of Janiuay.

The President was in Iloilo to discuss massive relief operations for Western Visayas.

Also on hand for the President's arrival were officers of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce which turned over a check for P10 million for the typhoon victims.

During the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC cluster meeting of the Cabinet, President Arroyo also instructed the Department of Budget and Management to immediately release rehabilitation funds for infrastructure destroyed by typhoon Frank, the Malacanang press report disclosed. (PIA)