Mitsui O.S.K. Lines donates $60,000 for victims of Typhoon Odette

MOL donates $60,000 for victims of Typhoon Odette
Genivi Verdejo December 29, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/29/business/maritime/mol-donates-600...

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) will donate $60,000 through its group company in the Philippines, Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc, to the reconstruction of the affected areas in the Philippines in the wake of typhoon Odette. MOL President Takeshi Hashimoto announced the donation for the relief efforts following typhoon Odette that hit the Central and Southern parts of the Philippines on December 16, 2021.

MOL has close bonds with the Philippines and its people as it recruits a significant number of Filipino seafarers and has established a training institution and university for seafarers in the country. "MOL prays for all the victims of this disaster and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to all the people who have suffered in the typhoon and its aftermath," he said.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) provided financial and operational support to ensure the unhampered delivery of relief assistance and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by typhoon Odette. PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago signed the Memorandum Circular (MC) 23 directing all port managers, terminal operators, cargo handling operators, and shipping companies to give vehicles, equipment, people, and cargoes involved in the relief operations loading and unloading priority.

"We will make sure that the needed relief and recovery items and equipment get to where they are needed in the fastest possible time. We do not need any unnecessary delays in the delivery of relief items, especially when lives are at stake," Santiago said. The MC gives berthing priority and waiver of entrance formalities to vessels used exclusively in the response, relief, and reconstruction operations. A special lane was designated to process the required documents and clearances for cargoes, vehicles, and equipment involved in the relief operations. PPA waived the payment of passenger terminal building (PTB) fees, and the payment of RO-RO terminal fees valid for 30 days, or until January 20, 2022.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the concerned agencies including PPA, to immediately implement measures to ensure the unhampered delivery of relief items to areas affected by 'Odette'. Tugade wanted to ensure that passengers who are left stranded by Odette at the various ports are accommodated.