Pitmaster partners with Marines for Odette relief

MANILA, Philippines — The Pitmaster Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of electronic sabong or e-sabong operator Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. of gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong”Ang, pursued immediate coordination efforts with the Philippine Marines to enable it to reach thousands of families severely affected by super typhoon Odette in the Mindanao and Visayas regions.

Lawyer Caroline Cruz, executive director of the Pitmaster Foundation, they saw the vital support of the Philippine Marines’ 72nd Marangal Battalion to expedite its relief operations in the typhoon-ravaged provinces in southern Philippines as early as last Sunday when they saw the devastating wrath of Odette.

Cruz said she personally checked the actual situation in affected areas and found out that many roads had been destroyed by floods spawned by Odette.

Cruz lauded the Marines’ effort which was not limited to transporting relief goods.

The Marines also helped the foundation in the repacking of food and hygiene kits intended for the initial target of 100,000 families in Surigao, Bohol, Negros and Palawan.

The foundation is anticipating more requests from local government units which have been forwarding their requests for assistance to Ang.

“Dahil patuloy ang paghingi ng tulong ng mga LGUs sa aming chairman na si Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, expected namin na madadagdagan pa ang 100,000 families na bibigyan ng ayuda within the next few days (We are seeing the continued flow of appeals for help from LGUs to our chairman, Mr. Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, so we are preparing to add to the 100,000 families we have identified to be ayuda beneficiaries of the foundation within the next few days),” stressed Cruz.

Although Cruz did not reveal the cost of the foundation’s relief operations, its expenditure on rice, canned food and hygiene kits may easily reach P45 million.

Pitmaster has had its main distribution center in Cebu City owing to its strategic location.

Cruz extended the Pitmaster’s gratitude to Easter Visayas Naval Reserve Commander Col. James Lugtu for offering his personnel and transport vehicles that resulted in speedy relief operations.

The foundation had also extended help to the families affected by typhoons last year.