By Brian Campued
Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure the swift recovery of areas devastated by Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) and Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sec. Amenah Pangandaman on Wednesday led the delivery of relief efforts in the municipalities of Tubajon and Loreto in Dinagat Islands.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, pinadala po nila kami dito para makita po natin ‘yung situation ninyo at kung kumusta po kayo,” Pangandaman said.
During the relief operations, the DBM chief facilitated the distribution of 2,600 family food packs and 250 tents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as 397 non-food family packs from the Office of Civil Defense.
She also turned over five Starlink units from the Department of Information and Communications Technology to provide internet connectivity in Tubajon Central Elementary School, Trinidad Mapa-Gupana High School, Barangay Liberty Elementary School, Loreto Central Elementary School, and Loreto National High School.
“Ang bawat tulong na ito ay paalala na hindi kayo nag-iisa. Saang sulok man kayo ng bansa, ang gobyerno ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ay nandito, mabilis kumilos at handang tumulong,” the Budget chief said.
She also assessed the extent of infrastructure damage in the province—which has been placed under a state of calamity following the onslaught of Tino—including a wooden bridge in Loreto.
Pangandaman likewise met with Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. to determine which other forms of assistance could be provided by the national government, especially to ensure the swift recovery of affected sectors, such as agriculture and tourism.
She assured the local government units that they can request additional funding under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for their recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
“Kung ano po yung kinakailangan, iparating niyo lang po sa amin, ang ating Pangulo po ay handang tumugon at very responsive po ang ating Pangulo,” she noted.
Other Cabinet secretaries who personally visited the affected provinces were Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco and Education Sec. Sonny Angara in Negros Occidental, Social Welfare Sec. Rex Gatchalian in Catanduanes, and Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa in Leyte.
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