By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday assured Filipinos that the government will exhaust all its means to sustain relief and recovery efforts in storm-battered provinces.
This after the President visited Virac, Catanduanes where he handed P50 million in cash assistance from the Office of the President to the provincial government after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).
Pepito made landfall in Panganiban town on Nov. 16.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also provided food packs to the typhoon victims worth more than P600,000 and cash aid worth P2.5 million.
“Walang deadline po ito. Hangga’t kailangan ninyo na magkaroon pa ng food pack, magpapadala pa rin kami,” Marcos said.
“Pati ‘yong mga na-displace, na nawalan ng tirahan, na napunta sa bahay ng kanilang kapitbahay, ng kanilang kamag-anak, ng kanilang kaibigan ay bibigyan rin natin ng food pack at tuloy-tuloy ang suporta po na ating gagawin,” he added.
According to Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua, the towns of Bagamanoc, Pandan, Gigmoto, Panganiban, Caramoran, and parts of Baras were severely damaged by Pepito, leaving a trail of wrecked houses and establishments in its wake.
Aside from relief goods, the Chief Executive also directed various government agencies to promptly deliver shelter assistance and restore communication and power systems in affected communities.
He, likewise, reiterated that the government will prioritize rebuilding efforts as well as providing aid to farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods were affected by the cyclones.
In a briefing with government officials, Marcos vowed to help Catanduanes rehabilitate its fiber production industry.
“Ang pinakamalaking naging problema, ’yong agricultural damage. Catanduanes ang center ng production ng abaca at maraming nasira. Kailangan natin tingnan ulit kung papaano tayo mag-replant,” the President.
He shared that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is assessing the damage and determining appropriate interventions.
“Ngunit in the immediate [period], ang kailangan is reconstruction materials at nakahanda na kami. Kagaya diyan sa mga ibang lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo ay maghahanda kami ng mga construction materials,” Marcos said.
The President also directed the D.A. and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to coordinate recovery initiatives, such as the conduct of cash-for-work programs and rehabilitation measures for the local abaca industry.
—iro
