Soldiers donate one-day salary for quake victims

By Jimmyley I. Guzman

Friday 17th of February 2012

QUEZON CITY, February 17 (PIA) -- The men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated Valentine’s Day with a big heart as they chipped in their one-day pay to reach out to the victims of the recent earthquake in Negros Oriental.

The AFP handed out some relief goods containing mineral water, water container, noodles, and some biscuits to earthquake victims in the province.

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, during the turnover ceremony, lauded the AFP for continuously supporting the province.

Before the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the province, Negros Oriental was also lashed by tropical storm ‘Sendong’ in December 2011.

Degamo was joined by Mayors Nestor Reyes of Guihulngan City, Lawrence Limkaichong of La Libertad, Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Minda Morante, and other officials from the AFP.

The local chief executive also appealed to the people and local politicians to unite and work together to help others in need and also to fast track the rehabilitation of affected communities.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army’s 301st Commanding Officer Colonel Francisco Patrimonio acknowledged the support of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Army Engineers who immediately responded to the incident.

“It was indeed a rare display of Filipino spirit of bayanihan that united us into one common goal of helping the people,” Patrimonio added. (AFP/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)