By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered the release of additional financial assistance amounting to about P265 million for families affected by the recent flooding and landslides in Mindanao triggered by the shear line and trough of a low-pressure area in the region.
“I released the P265 million to make sure that the response is immediate and maramdaman agad ng tao na mayroon silang tulong, maramdaman nilang – mayroon silang gagamitin sa pangangailangan nila,” President Marcos said during a situation briefing at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City.
The Office of the President allotted P30 million each to the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur, and Davao de Oro, while P25 million each is allocated to the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur.
Agusan del Norte will be given P15 million, while Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces will receive P10 million each.
The said financial aid is on top of the emergency cash assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the calamity victims in the region, according to the Malacañang.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured local government units that there is sufficient supply of relief goods for affected families in the region. LGUs may also lodge a request for additional relief assistance through their regional office.
During the briefing, Marcos also directed local officials to speed up the clearing operations on affected roads or opening alternative routes to allow delivery of relief as well as conduct assessment of damages to properties.
“All of the other damages will still have to be assessed and then we will then have to make a plan, get it funded,” he added.
Davao de Oro Gov. Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga reported an initial grand total of over P3.6 billion worth of damages to local and national roads, bridges, and flood control infrastructure in her province.
This corresponds to a total of P8.2 billion budget to cover repair and rehabilitation of damaged properties.
“These figures we got from our friends from the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) kasi pinapa-submit po namin sila ng [assessment ng damage] at saka costing if and when mare-repair and rehabilitate ‘yung roads, bridges, and revetments namin,” Gonzaga said.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said logistical support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police were already mobilized.
“Aside from the land assets of the Philippine Army that are here, we have devoted six helicopters for airlifts, and two naval vessels to attend to this, and we can deploy more as necessary,” Teodoro said. – avds