The city government of Zamboanga reaffirms its solidarity with earthquake-stricken Cebu Province as Mayor Khymer Olaso, together with CDRRMO Chief Dr. Elmeir Apolinario and key officials from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), dispatches another wave of relief assistance in a send-off ceremony at Baliwasan Seaside, Thursday night, October 2.

This, as the first batch of assistance and rescue team dispatched Wednesday night have arrived Cebu City.

The shipment consisted of 700 sacks of rice (25 kilos each) from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), 20 boxes of canned sardines and 1,000 jerry cans with water. To further extend help, Mayor Olaso personally donated 1,000 bags containing two kilos of rice each, using his personal funds, underscoring his compassion and commitment to support affected families.

The relief cargo was securely transported aboard two coast guard vessels – BRP Tubbataha and BRP Capones, bound for Cebu.

Mayor Olaso expressed gratitude to the PCG team led by Commodore Rejard V Marfe PCG, Commander of Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao; together with CDR Felix Angelo M. Angue, MRRV-4401 (BRP Tubbataha); CDR Randy O. Hengoyon, PCG, MRRV-4404 (BRP Capones); and the rest of the crew.

Before the vessels set sail, the mayor penned a message in the coast guard’s guest book, wishing the crew a safe voyage as they carried the vital aid to Cebu.

In a gesture of appreciation, the Coast Guard presented Mayor Olaso with a commemorative cup, symbolizing partnership, solidarity and shared commitment to humanitarian service.

Joining the coast guard voyage was Assistant City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Clint Senosa, who ensured proper coordination and monitoring of the relief operations.

Thursday night’s dispatch followed an earlier humanitarian mission on Wednesday night, October 1, when Mayor Olaso sent off a 19-man team from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Health Office, and the CSWDO. The group traveled by land through Dapitan City carrying the initial 300sacks of rice, 1,000 boxes of canned goods and 1,000 jerry cans of water. (Arvin Midel) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)