172 responders return to Eastern Visayas after aiding Bicol storm victims

On Monday, a team of 172 responders, mostly policemen, received a hero's welcome upon returning to Eastern Visayas after providing assistance in the Bicol region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad, PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director, praised their efforts during a ceremony at the Police Regional 8 Gymnasium in Palo, Leyte.

The responders worked tirelessly on rescue missions, relief distribution, and maintaining public safety for 10 days.

Of the total contingent, 150 were from the Philippine National Police (PNP), with additional support from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Office of Civil Defense.

The PNP Help and Food Bank was activated during their deployment to aid affected communities, initially donating PHP100,000 for relief efforts.

In a separate development, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) in Bicol provided essential food items including rice, canned goods, noodles, sugar, coffee, eggs, and bottled water to over 5,433 individuals affected by the storm from Oct. 24 onwards.

The regional office also extended relief assistance to 3,598 PRO5 members through aid from the PNP national headquarters and the PRO5 food bank.