President Rodrigo R. Duterte visited Surigao Del Sur Tuesday following the onslaught of Typhoon Auring.
The President ordered his Cabinet to focus on the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region and required the department secretaries to submit their progress reports on the matter.
“Give me a report of what you have done, just a memo, [so] I can keep track. You have one week to do it, all of you. If there’s anything that needs to be fixed, do it, come back here.”
The Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ricardo Jalad updated that as of Feb. 23, 2021, over 112,000 individuals have been affected by the calamity with 2 injured, 1 confirmed casualty, and 4 missing.
“For our next steps, one is the need to sustain relief operations in areas heavily affected by Auring with the local government units in the lead.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured that family food packs are allocated for the affected areas. It also disclosed that ₱22.09 million worth of standby funds and stockpiles are available.
“With the situation, we estimate that it will last for a week, Mr. President… [Depending] on how the situation develops,” DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista concluded.
In terms of power infrastructure, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi reported that no structures were damaged by Auring.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar assured the provision of ₱230 million worth of agricultural intervention for the province.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will give 30 motorized fiberglass bancas and “will give each mayor an accommodation of 250 workers who will be given an emergency employment of 10 days”.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) guaranteed the expansion of the runway at the Tandag Airport as well as the fixing of the barangay roads in the province.
President Duterte along with various government agencies vowed to focus on the situation of the region.
“Kung magtanong kayo kung saan ako, at least nandito ako sa inyo. Kaunti na lang kasi ang panahon na pagka-presidente ko. Gusto ko ‘yong dapat gawin, gawin na kaagad. (If you ask where I am, at least I’m here. I only have little time left as President. I want everything that needs to be done, be done immediately).” Report from Mela Lesmoras
