WHILE Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has his hands full preparing hospitals, stockpiling medicines and doing mass vaccinations amid the new surge in COVID-19 cases, Manila City volunteers continue to conduct relief operations in typhoon-affected areas in the Visayas, Mindanao and Palawan.

On Thursday, Mayor Isko’s wife Dynee Domagoso went to Southern Leyte to distribute relief packs to affected residents of Bgy. Tampoong in the town of Sogod and Bgy. Cabulihan in Maasin town.

In Sogod town, Mrs. Domagoso was welcomed by Sogod Mayor Emi Tan. There was even a tarpaulin welcoming Ma’am Dynee Domagoso with the peg: “Ang nag-iisang asawa ni Isko Moreno.”

Thousands of residents went to the multi-purpose covered court in Bgy. Tampoong to receive the relief packs from Mrs. Domagoso. The City of Manila had earlier sent relief packs to Sogod town right after Typhoon Odette’s onslaught.

“Personal ko pong gustong makita ang inyong kalagayan at napakasuwerte ko po dahil kahit papano nasa maayos kayong kundisyon. Napakagaling ng inyong mayora at napakagaling ng kanilang pamilya dahil hindi nila kayo pinapabayaan,” said Mrs. Domagoso.

Mayor Tan later accompanied Mrs. Domagoso in inspecting the damaged sea wall in Bgy. Tampoong.

Mrs. Domagoso earlier went to Bohol and Antique to hand over relief goods consisting of food packs and bottled water to affected residents as part of “Operation Tabang” of Team Isko Moreno.

In Cebu, volunteers from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) continue to help residents who do not yet have clean supply of water.

On Tuesday, the MDRRMO Kaagapay Tanker supplied water at Metro Level in Bgy. Apas and last Wednesday in Bgy. Maracas in coordination with the Cebu City Fire Volunteers. The Kaagapay Tanker is being operated by firemen volunteers Romeo Velasco Jr., Jim Macasaquit, Carlo Cuilao and Rommel Allada.

Another MDRRMO team using Aison Rescue, Manlift basket was in charge of pruning felled trees in Bgy. Cubacub, Mandaue City. The team is composed of Jose Marie Apolonio, Cardo Dalisay, Paul Bryan Maglunob Chow, Jonel Tunacao, Joseph Michael Castro, Gemorskie Saldana and Henry Ferrer.

Operation Tabang Team led by Dale Evangelista also conducted relief operations in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Palawan with thousands of food packs given to residents who were severely affected by Typhoon Odette.

Relief operations were also conducted in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. On Jan. 3, relief packs were distributed in Barangays Langonan, Binduyan, Concepcion, Tanabag, San Rafael, Babuyan, Maoyan, Lucbuan and Maruguyon. Relief goods were also distributed in Barangays Manalo and Salvacion the following day, Jan. 4.

In Surigao City, temporary shelter tents and relief packs were distributed Monday in various evacuation centers including Kaskag Gym in Bgy. Washington for 30 families, Gawad Kalinga in Bgy. Luna for 30 families and Nueva Gym in Bgy. Taft for 30 families.

In Surigao del Norte, temporary shelter tents were distributed Tuesday to two island barangays: Talisay, 20 pieces and San Jose, 15 pieces.

Last week, Team Isko Moreno relief packs were distributed in Barangays Cambagahan and Tamiso in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso earlier thanked city hall employees and MDRRMO volunteers who provided their time and effort to help in the relief and clearing operations in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette which slammed Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao almost three weeks ago.