BRP IVATAN (LC298) ARRIVES AT BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI, BRINGS AID TO FIRE-AFFECTED FAMILIES

Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City – On September 11, 2023, the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ivatan (LC298), operating under the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, arrived at Bongao Port, Tawi-Tawi, carrying relief supplies intended for the victims of the devastating fire incident that struck Bongao Town in the province of Tawi-Tawi.

The humanitarian mission, coordinated by the NFWM with various government agencies and organizations, brought a total of 48.2 tons of assorted relief goods aimed at providing much-needed assistance to 670 families affected by the fire. The relief items included 1,250 sleeping kits, 250 dignity kits, 1,250 hygiene kits, 4,636 food packs, 1,000 family kits, 150 modular tents, 1,000 boxes of non-food items, 129 boxes of medicines, 50 plastic tables, 5 boxes of assorted clothing, and 4 sacks of assorted goods.

These relief supplies were provided by the Ministry of Social Services and Development – BARMM (MSSD-BARMM), Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office IX (DSWWD-IX), and the Civil Defense Regional Office-BARMM.

Upon its arrival at Bongao Port, the BRP Ivatan was met by the team of responders, including personnel from Marine Battalion Landing Team-1, Marine Battalion Landing Team-12, Navy reservists from 2nd Marine Brigade, Philippine Coast Guard Bongao, Maritime Police of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and members of local government units. Together, they worked tirelessly to unload the cargoes of relief items.

The relief goods were handed over to the care of Mrs. Mary Anne Abdul Munak, the Municipal Administrator of Bongao. Also present were Mr. Algibran Amilasan from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Mr. Hadjimar Matba from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and Mrs. Belinda Adil from the Provincial Social Welfare Office (PSWO).

The fire incident, which occurred last September 7, 2023, devastated the vicinity of Fisheries, Salamat Street in Brgy. Poblacion, Bongao, causing an estimated 20,000,000 pesos worth of damage to properties and displacing 670 families from their homes.

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao, under the leadership of Rear Admiral Donn Anthony L. Miraflor, PN, remains steadfast in its commitment to execute its mission within its area of responsibility in support to the Western Mindanao Command.