ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will visit the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod on Thursday to fulfill his promise of extending assistance to victims of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).
Pacquiao is set to arrive around 7:15 a.m. at the Iloilo airport in Cabatuan town, said Lilia Recto, one of the key organizers of his trip.
She said Pacquiao will have breakfast with Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at the prelate’s residence in Jaro District before handing out relief goods to flood victims at the compound of the Jaro Cathedral.
Monsignor Meliton Oso, executive director of the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center, said at least 700 flood victims will be receive the relief goods from Pacquiao.
Recto, president of the Catholic Women’s League here, said Pacquiao had requested that the Church identify the recipients.
While disaster-weary Ilonggos are excited to see and meet the boxing champion, Recto said Pacquiao wanted his visit to be “simple” and focus only on the giving out of relief goods.
Pacquiao is expected to leave for Bacolod City by helicopter after lunch where he will also hand out relief goods.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Tre?as expressed appreciation for Pacquiao’s assistance. “This is a big help for our residents, not just materially but to boost their morale after the tragedy,” Tre?as said in a telephone interview.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has declared July 17 as “Manny Pacquiao Day” in Bacolod City.
Pacquiao has pledged to give P1 million to the typhoon victims of the city.
Leonardia said they would give Pacquiao the “Bugal sang Bacolod (pride of Bacolod)” recognition on Thursday. Pacquiao also received the “Dungganon (honorable) nga Bacolodnon” award during his last visit to the city in 2006.
Rey Golingan, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of General Santos City and Pacquiao’s adviser, has confirmed that the boxing champ would give P1 million in Bacolod and P1.5 million in Iloilo City. He said Pacquiao is also giving about P500,000 to typhoon victims in Aklan.
Leonardia said they have requested Captain Love Joy Sevilio of the Philippine Air Force to arrange with authorities for Pacquiao and his party to be able to land at the old Bacolod airport. Upon his arrival, Pacquiao will proceed to the Goldenfields Commercial Complex for the 3 p.m. parade around the city, he said.
A simple program will follow at the Bacolod City Hall, which would include a fireworks display to be sponsored by Robinson’s Place Bacolod.
Pacquiao has requested that each pack to be distributed should contain five kilos of NFA rice, two cans of sardines, and two packs of noodles, Leonardia said.
The Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD) has estimated that the amount of P1 million will provide about 6,000 packages that will benefit 6,000 people of Bacolod, Leonardia said.
