ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The Iligan-Lanao Energy Press Corps (ILEPC) spearheaded a relief drive to assist fellow media practitioners in Surigao del Norte who were affected by the devastation brought by typhoon Odette.

With the support of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, Kiwanis International Division 4B Iligan City, and other partners,  a total of 100 relief packs were distributed by ILEPC to more than 50 print and broadcast journalists in the said province. 

The 4th Infantry Division and 4th Mechanized Battalion of the Philippine Army also helped in transporting the relief packs from Iligan City to Surigao City.

"Sa panahon ng trahedya at kalamidad, dapat ang mga journalists ay magkaisa, magtulungan upang maisalba ang buhay ng bawat isa, bawat pamilya," said ILEPC President Richel Umel.

[In times of tragedy and disaster, journalists must unite, work together to save the lives of each other, of every family.]  

The relief packs consisted of rice, assorted grocery items, drinking water, and medicines.

Officers of the Iligan-Lanao Energy Press Corps distribute relief packs to Odette-affected media practitioners in Surigao del Norte. (ILEPC)

Media practitioners in Surigao expressed their appreciation to the ILEPC for the relief aid.

"Itong tulong na aming natanggap ay malaking tulong na ito especially sa amin na naging biktima. Sa amin dito, ilan lang ang nakabalik ng ere o normal na operation. Ibang mga mitembro dito wala pang mga sahod. Itong pagkain ay magagamit namin sa pang-araw-araw," said journalist Rey Suravasquez.

[What we received is a great help especially to us who became victims. Of us here, only a few have returned to air or normal operation. Other members here have no salaries yet. This food we can use daily.]

He said that with the relief drive of the ILEPC, they felt how other media groups cared for them.  (APB/PIA Lanao del Norte)