Foreign maritime cadets to help in clean up operations
More manpower help is pouring for the city as 150 maritime cadets coming from different countries are here to help in the clean up and rehabilitation of typhoon affected areas.
The cadets headed by Capt. Joel Y. Abutal and ship captain Ayumi Kurijara came from Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Some of the Filipino contingents studied at the John B. Lacson Maritime University. They will stay here until July 15 for the clean up activities.
The cadets on board a training ship "Spirit of Mitsui OSK" arrived at the Loboc international port last July 9, 2008. These cadets will help clean Sambag Elementary School, Saint Joseph Church and St. Vincent Seminary, all in the district of Jaro, of all debris, mud and dirt left by the flood spawned by Typhoon Frank.
Spirit of Mitsui OSK, which is a training ship, is only one of the 900 ships operated and owned by Mitsui OSK Lines worldwide. The presence of these maritime cadets is part of the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Mayor Jerry Treñas welcomes the effort of the shipping company in sending a team to Iloilo to assist in the clean up drive. Treñas, however, advised the contingent to exercise measures to avoid contacting disease such as Leptospirosis.
The chief executive asked the team to wear protective gears such as boots to protect themselves from injury before they will begin the clean up operations. The city has already recorded two cases of Leptospirosis.
The presence of the cadets would mean additional manpower to clean the city of the mud and debris soonest time.
The first to respond in extending manpower help and equipment was a team from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The city also hired some 300 casual workers to speed up all the cleaning works in affected areas particularly in Jaro and Mandurriao districts.
Aside from manpower the shipping company also brought 40 tons of relief goods for the typhoon affected families. The relief goods consist of rice, t-shirts, noodles and canned goods. The relief goods will be distributed in the typhoon affected families in Jaro.