Relief Arrives in Tacloban

On Friday 15 November 2013, the chartered training vessel T/S Kapitan Felix Oca used by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) and the NorwegianTraining Center – Manila (NTCM) arrived in Tacloban, Leyte.

T/S Kaptain Felix Oca was loaded with relief goods donated from more than 50 companies and individuals from e.g. the member companies in the Philippine Norwegian Business Council, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the member companies of the Norwegian Shipowners Association, and other non-government organizations, business owners, as well as relief sent by the government through Department of Energy, Department of Tourism and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The vessel transported 11,450 boxes of various relief items; 20 tons of rice, 40 tons or 3,306 cases of bottled water, 32 tons or 2,719 family packs, 15 tons of noodles, canned goods, toiletries, assorted goods, clothes and medicines. On the way to Tacloban, the NSA cadets onboard packed additional family packages, and with this, around 10,000 – 12,000 family packs were ready for distribution.

The relief operation was very successful, but would not have been possible without the donors, cadets, the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), as the owner of the vessel, the vessel’s crew, the organization “Making Change”, and lastly the valuable help from Congressman Jesulito Manalo (ANGKLA) and his direct link and very good cooperation with Department of Transportation and Communication and Department of Interior and Local Governments.

Philippines Norway Business Council