Cebu Pacific Mounts Relief Efforts For Typhoon Odette-Stricken Communities
Transports over 235 tons of free cargo from December 18 to 26
Cebu Pacific (CEB) continues its various relief efforts for people and communities that were affected by the recent Super Typhoon Odette, transporting since December 18, 2021, various essential goods and volunteers free-of-charge, to destinations including Cebu, Bohol, Siargao, and Surigao.
To further drive help to those devastated by the typhoon, CEB has partnered with both national and local governments, and private entities, such as Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, World Vision Philippines, and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc.
On December 29, CEB flew 32 medical workers from Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, mobilized by the Department of Health (DOH) Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), free-of-charge to Siargao and Dinagat Island, where they provided free medical assistance to the victims of the natural disaster.
“This would have not been possible without the coordination between the DOH, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Inc., and CEB. With this, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the support that these agencies have provided to ensure the speedy arrival of the different DOH teams to the areas affected by typhoon Odette,” said Dir. Arnel Rivera, MD, FPAFP, MHA, IDHA – OIC Director IV of Health Emergency Management Bureau, DOH.
The airline has also made sure it took care of its own people who are based in areas devastated by the typhoon. More than 1,600 Cebu Pacific employees across its 16 stations that were affected by Odette needed assistance. Relief goods and emergency cash were provided to them, while other CEB employees in Manila also extended helping hands to assist in operations at the Cebu and Manila Airports.
Apart from the free transport of essential cargo during this time, CEB has also mounted 12 sweeper flights to bring home stranded passengers from Siargao and Puerto Princesa. To date, it has already safely flown more than 500 individuals from Siargao to Manila.
“We know that the areas severely affected by the Super Typhoon Odette need a lot of assistance as they work towards recovery, and we are here to support however we can. We in CEB ensured our cargo operations remain unhampered so we can fly in supplies, resources, and much-needed humanitarian assistance at the earliest opportunity; at the same time, mount rescue flights wherever it’s needed most,” said Michael Ivan Shau, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Cebu Pacific.
As of December 26, CEB has already transported more than 235 tons of humanitarian cargo, mostly composed of water, sacks of rice, other food items like canned goods, water purifiers / filters, health kits and shelter items, medicines and other necessities.
“This will be a long continuing process of coordination and partnership among these agencies, and we hope for their continued support,” added Rivera.
“It has always been part of the airline’s core purpose to give back to its community in any way it can, and this is one of the times we can all come together and show BayaniJuan for our kababayans. We will continue to closely coordinate with government agencies, organizations, and partners to aid in air transport services,” added Shau.
For those interested to partner with CEB, requests may be sent to socialresponsibility@cebupacificair.com.
