Government Agencies Provide Relief to Tacloban Coastal Communities Affected by Balikatan Drills

Posted on June 7, 2026 at 5:37 am

TACLOBAN CITY — Fisherfolk families in three coastal barangays in Tacloban City received food assistance after several days of limited fishing activity during the recent Balikatan military exercises held off the city’s waters.

About 474 families from Barangays 88, 89, and 90 were given food packs during a send-off ceremony for the Modified Community Support Team (MCST) at the Barangay 88 Covered Court on June 1. Organizers said the assistance reached around 500 fisherfolk and their family members.

Fishing is the main source of income for many households in the area, but some residents were unable to go out to sea during the five-day exercises due to safety restrictions in designated training areas.

The temporary halt meant reduced or lost income for several families who depend on daily fishing to meet their needs.

Government agencies stepped in to provide food assistance to affected residents. The distribution was led by the Philippine Army’s 8th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, Task Group Tacloban, NICA Region 8, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 8, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police.

Barangay 88 Chairperson Antonio Abad thanked the agencies for the assistance, saying it helped ease the situation of families affected by the temporary fishing restrictions.

Officials said the aid was intended to help families cope with the disruption while ensuring that communities hosting national exercises are supported.

DSWD Field Office 8 official Ruel Ramos said the effort showed how agencies can quickly respond when livelihoods are affected.

The assistance came as the Balikatan exercises wrapped up in the area, allowing fisherfolk to return to their usual fishing activities.

Photos by: Ronnie Yanuario