By Brian Campued
Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring immediate aid to communities affected by the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led an inter-agency effort and on-the-ground assessment in Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
During their visit to the province, Frasco announced the release of P10 million in presidential aid each to the local government of La Carlota City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla as well as P5 million for Binalbagan.
Marcos previously earmarked P50 million in cash assistance from the Office of the President for Negros Occidental to support immediate recovery and rehabilitation in the most affected areas.
“Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Sec. Sonny Angara and I represented the President in visiting Negros Occidental where we held an initial inter-agency assessment following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, and conveyed the President’s instructions to assess the needs and provide assistance to the Province and the people of Negros Occidental until its full recovery,” Frasco said in a Facebook post.
The two Cabinet secretaries led the distribution of family food packs, family kits, and hygiene kits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development; at least 100 jerrycans and a box of assorted medicines from the Department of Health; and 25 shelter-grade tarpaulins from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
In addition, Frasco and Angara inspected the hardest-hit sites, such as the collapsed Buhangin River “Wipe-Out Bridge” in La Castellana and the Barangay Biao Spillway in Binalbagan, to determine the extent of the typhoon’s damage.
To help the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School resume operations and ensure learning continuity, the Department of Education also turned over laptop units and a Starlink internet device from the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Marcos earlier directed his Cabinet to personally oversee the relief and recovery operations across the country and ensure that all the needs of affected residents are properly addressed.
“Buong pwersa ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa pag-aksyon sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng Super Typhoon Uwan at Typhoon Tino. Alinsunod ito sa mandato ng Pangulo na personal na alamin ang kalagayan ng mga residenteng tinamaan ng magkasunod na bagyo,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
“Sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., palaging una ang kapakanan at kabutihan ng taumbayan lalong-lalo na sa mga oras ng sakuna,” Castro added.
-jpv
