Relief on its way to devastated Mangsee Island in Palawan

An aerial view of one of two islands in Mangsee, Balabac municipality, which was devastated by Tropical 

Storm Vinta on December 24.  (Photo courtesy by Annze Anna)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Relief mission of the provincial government sailed from this city Tuesday morning to the heavily affected islands of Mangsee, Balabac town, which was badly battered by tropical storm “Vinta” on Christmas Eve.

Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) officer-in-charge Cruzaldy Ablaña told local media that the relief missions are carrying food and non-food items to Mangsee in the far south west portion of Palawan, which is home to more than 10,000 residents.

Medical personnel also joined the relief mission.

The medical team and the relief goods boarded BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) of the Philippine Navy  going to Balabac.

“Mga 6:30 a.m. sila nakaalis sa pier kanina kasi kagabi hindi natapos iyong loading ng mga goods. 

They are expected to arrive in Mangsee around 6 p.m. today (They were unable to finish loading the items last night that is why they decided to leave this morning instead),” Ablaña said.  Estimated travel time will be six to eight hours, he added.

The mission is headed by Western Command (WESCOM) commander, Lt. General Rozzano Briguez, Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, and Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez.

Alvarez has ordered the distribution of one sack of rice per affected family, as well as liters of drinking water, and canned goods enough to last for over a week, Ablaña said.

With communication lines down in Mangsee, relief authorities have mostly relied on WESCOM for updates using satellite phones to contact military troops stationed in the area, he said.

“Per aerial survey by WESCOM, you will really see the devastation brought about by ‘Vinta’. An estimated 100 homes were destroyed and without roofs, and debris are everywhere,” he said.

Based on a PDRRMO update, 11 municipalities were affected by “Vinta” in Palawan. Around 2,178 families or 7,289 individuals were evacuated and most are residents of Balabac. Of the 30 reported missing, 11 have been accounted for as of Monday. (PNA)