MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao promised to help the victims of Tropical Storm "Sendong," which lashed Southern Philippines over the weekend and left over 900 people dead.

Pacquiao was celebrating his 33rd birthday in Sarangani when Sendong unleashed its wrath on Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, where flash floods caused massive loss of lives and damage to property.

"Kinausap ko ang mga staff ko ngayon, magpadala ng relief goods para makatulong sa ating mga kababayan doon," Pacquiao said after he was officially installed as the executive officer of the 1st Ready Sarangani Reserve Battalion.

Pacquiao said he sent in his staff to the badly-hit areas of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

"Sinabihan ko, pinapunta ko ang mga tao natin. Hindi lang sila magbibigay kundi makatulong doon, kung ano pa ang gagawin doon," he said.

Pacquiao's camp has already started preparing bottled water and sacks of rice that will be distributed to the victims by December 23.

Pacquiao's legal adviser, Atty. Franklin Gacal, said the boxer has complied with the call of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, who asked House members to help.

"He immediately complied to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte's call for all congressmen to slash P1-million from their PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Funds)," Gacal said.

Pacquiao also called on other Filipinos to do what they can to help the victims of Sendong.

"Sa mga kababayan natin na maluwag sa buhay,  kung may extra kayo, kung ano ang sobra ay tulungan natin ang mga kababayan natin na nasalanta ng bagyo," he said.

He then called on Sendong's victims to keep on praying and to not lose hope.

"Tayo ang lumayo sa Panginoon, kaya hindi tayo naprotektahan," he said. "Dapat marunong tayong lumapit sa Panginoon at magdasal. Walang imposible sa Kanya." -- With reports from Anne Santos, ABS-CBN News; and Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star.