Energizing and uplifting: Russians tell victims to make tea

CEBU, Philippines - The Russian government is encouraging typhoon victims to produce native tea as it sent tons of sugar as its relief assistance not only for Cebu but also to other parts of the Visayas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Cebu Armi Lopez Garcia said that tea made from lemon grass and ginger is an energy drink that can also make them happy.

“You don’t have to buy this expensive tea to make their day a good day because we really need a bright moments during this time of crisis,” Garcia said.

In Russia, Garcia said that people take tea with sugar prompting them to send sugar here.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said that the sugar sent by the Russian government compliments the black coffee included in the relief packs distributed to typhoon victims.

Tolentino said that the packs are matched with those from the Capitol which include rice and other items during the distribution.

Garcia visited the Capitol yesterday to brief Governor Hilario Davide III about the arrival of two planes from Russia last Thursday evening carrying 28 tons of assorted canned goods and sugar.

The goods are stored in a gym at the old Sacred Heart School campus along Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City where the repacking is also being done.

Garcia reported that they have practically distributed packs to around 15,000 families in Camotes Island, Tabogon, Medellin and Bantayan Island.

She thanked the volunteers who are helping in the repacking.

“It’s amazing how the show of love is demonstrated at this time of crisis situation,” she said.

Garcia said that the Russians are now also considering sending of housing materials but Davide still has to make a formal request.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 set up another operation center, bringing what they have up to six in all, but the hunt for more centers still continues in order to fast track the repacking of relief goods.

The latest relief operation center is located at the old Sacred Heart School building, this one is headed by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

CCCI President Lito Maderazo said that they were allowed to use the building as they are helping the Cebu provincial government and DSWD in warehousing and packaging of relief goods.

Maderazo said that so far, they have dispatched over 10,000 food packs from international donors and these food packs are intended for typhoon victims in the northern towns of Cebu.

DSWD-7 information officer Aileen Lariba said that thousands of Cebuano vo-lunteers from their other five relief operations centers in Cebu were repacking relief goods intended for typhoon victims in Eastern Visayas.

Lariba further said that DSWD-7 has given 500 sacks of rice so far to the Cebu provincial government which is intended for all the affected local government units in the northern part of the province.

“Ako-a lang iklaro nga ang gihatag namo nga bugas nga 500 ka sako, para to sa tanang LGU sa northern Cebu and not 500 sacks for every LGU,” Lariba said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)