Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is busy giving aid to the victims of a powerful typhoon in the central Philippines, a week after his comeback victory over U.S. boxer Brandon Rios.

Pacquiao, a sitting member in Congress, visited towns in Samar and Leyte provinces, which bore the brunt of Typhoon Haiyan’s impact, and handed out relief packs, money and bibles.

In Tacloban City, more than a thousand people gathered inside a sports complex to meet the Filipino boxer widely regarded as an idol. Pacquiao shook hands with the crowd and handed out toys to the children. The WBA welterweight champion says his visit was in solidarity to the victims of the typhoon.

“I have been through the hardships and experienced what they are experiencing now, that is why I am here to join them, to give aid and encouragement,” says a compassionate Pacquiao.

Some Residents like Virgilio Ong was excited the boxers visited them, describing it as encouraging.

“He helps lighten the spirits and lessens the sadness. He gives encouragement to all the victims of typhoonYolanda (Haiyan),” he said.

Pacquiao is expected to visit the other towns in Leyte province on Monday before heading back to his hometown in the southern Philippines.

Paquiao made the trip amid an ongoing tax probe that froze his bank accounts, forcing him to borrow money to buy the relief goods.

The boxer, who recently earned a victory against American opponent Brandon Rios in China on Sunday (November 24), was under investigation for alleged tax delinquencies amounting to 2.2 billion pesos (50.3 million US dollars) from top-billed matches in 2008 and 2009.

Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines on November 8, killing more than 5,000 people, destroying nearly 600,000 houses and displacing more than 13 million.