PSC, POC widen relief operations

Residents clean their mudded houses caused by floodings due to heavy rains brought about by Super Typhoon Rai in Loboc town, Bohol province on December 21, 2021, days after the super typhoon devastated the province. (Photo by Cheryl BALDICANTOS / AFP)

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has ramped up its relief operations by releasing P2 million for typhoon victims in Visayas and Mindanao.

PSC Chair William Ramirez sought the assistance of former PSC Executive Director and Commissioner Fr. Vicente Uy to lead the distribution of care packages to those affected by the massive trail of destruction left by Typhoon “Odette.”

“Fr. Uy has the leadership and integrity to be on top of this on the ground. We are directly coordinating with him. The PSC, archdioceses, universities, teachers and the sports community will come together and help,’’ said Ramirez.

The aid will be on top of the P15,000 financial assistance for each of the 136 athletes and 31 coaches affected by the storm plus the 10,000 pieces of bottled water and 900 units of mattresses that the PSC will transport to Bohol in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Also coming to the aid of affected members of the national training pool is the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), which sent financial support of P10,000 each to 10 surfers and their two coaches in Siargao.

Olympic marathoner Mary Joy Tabal and several other athletes from Cebu will receive the needed assistance, according to POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

“We are getting in touch with our athletes and coaches in the region, so we can further our assistance to them,’’ said Tolentino.

Uy, who served as PSC commissioner during the first term of Ramirez from 2005 to 2008, will supervise the relief efforts with concerned local governments, universities and parishes in the region.

“The PSC’s compassion for the calamity victims and passion for the cause of humanity are deeply appreciated,’’ said Fr. Uy, now president of the Private Schools Athletic Association in Region VII.

Philippine Sports Institute deputy director Marlon Malbog has been organizing all sports coordinators in the area to assist Uy.