In spite of millions in damage to its various headquarters, the Catanduanes police has pursued its goal of delivering relief to victims of super typhoon Rolly in different areas.
From Nov. 7 to 25, 2020 alone, the Catanduanes provincial police office and its different units conducted a total of 39 relief operations in Virac, San Andres, Bato and Baras which was heavily devastated by super typhoon Rolly on Nov. 1.
On Nov. 23, it also reached out to the people of Hinipaan in Bagamanoc, which was inundated by flood waters unleashed by typhoon Ulysses, delivering 4o food packs and 75 pieces of frying pans.
All told, the Catanduanes PPO, Bagamanoc MPS, Bato MPS, San Andres MPS, Virac MPS and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company distributed a total of 3,100 food packs, 284 sacks of 50-kg. rice, 2 sacks of 25-kg. rice, 524 bottles of mineral water, 204 pieces of “kawali”, 327 pieces of “kaldero”, 300 solar lights, 240 packs of used clothing, and 35 filled water containers to 3,621 beneficiaries, including the Baras parish.
The relief goods were sourced from the food banks of the Catanduanes police, the Police Regional Office No. 7 and PRO5, as well as donations from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, the family of the late Vicente Valeza Sr., AFSLAI, and the Basilio-Jintalan Family and friends from United Kingdom and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The calamity response was initiated by OIC-Police Provincial Director Col. Brian Castillo despite the local police sustaining some P7 million in damages from the recent typhoons.
At Camp Francisco Camacho headquarters alone, nine buildings had major damage, including the provincial director’s quarters, four personnel quarters, two offices and the mobile force facilities.
The headquarters of the San Andres MPS, San Miguel MPS, Bato MPS and Baras MPS were also unroofed, with the storm’s winds damaging the ceilings, doors and windors.
With 100 police personnel deployed upon orders of Bicol police director Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bustamante, the local police command also assisted in operation to clear debris from major thoroughfares, provide security to key installations and businesses and help in the unloading, repacking and delivery of relief goods.