The story behind it is ugly. It got some officials scratching their heads. Government social workers "packed their bags" because of a turf war with the Philippine Air Force Officers' Ladies Club – wives of PAF officials referred to as the "ladies," according to a volunteer.
Oplan Salubong was set up at the airbase in Pasay to help the typhoon survivors who fled to Manila – they were fed, sheltered, offered free calls, among others. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the ladies, and hundreds of other volunteers joined the efforts.
"The DSWD is technically the one [that] should be in charge, but since Villamor is the home of the Air Force, the ladies simply would not want to be overshadowed," volunteer Junep Ocampo told the Philippine Star.