By Brian Campued
Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure sustained relief and recovery efforts in calamity-hit areas, Cabinet members along with local officials returned to Masbate on Monday to deliver aid and assess ongoing rehabilitation in the aftermath of Typhoon Opong.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian and Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Christina Frasco led the emergency cash transfer payout of P10,263 each to over 500 tourism workers across 16 municipalities in the province under the Bayanihan sa Bukas na May Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program.
“This assistance aims to help ease the burden caused by the disaster and support them as they rebuild their sources of income,” Gatchalian said.
Frasco likewise underscored the government’s efforts to ensure that aid reaches those most affected by calamities, noting that Filipinos can depend on the administration even on trying times.
“Ang gobyerno ay andiyan hindi lang sa panahon ng kasiyahan kundi sa mga panahon din ng kahirapan, at ngayong ang ating mga empleyado sa turismo ay nahaharap sa kahirapan dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho, ang gobyerno ay nariyan at gumagawa ng hakbang para matulungan kayo,” the Tourism chief said in Bisaya during the aid distribution program at the Magallanes Coliseum in Masbate City.
Gatchalian and Frasco along with Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Sonny Angara, and Masbate Gov. Richard Kho also turned over agricultural inputs—including laminated sacks, organic fertilizers, assorted seeds, learning-site tools and materials, and farming equipment—to typhoon-affected local farmers in Asid, Masbate City.
The team also visited the Masbate Provincial Hospital and the Masbate Comprehensive National High School and Nursery Elementary School, which are undergoing upgrades and rehabilitation.
According to DepEd, minor repairs have been completed on damaged roofs, ceilings, and electrical wiring at the Nursery Elementary School, while about 40%–45% in major repairs are underway.
At Masbate Comprehensive National High School, restoration of multi-storey buildings and other structures is between 30% and 90% complete.
The DepEd has released P14.4 million to the Schools Division Offices of Masbate and Masbate City for minor repairs and cleanup of schools that sustained an estimated P1.079 billion in classroom damage, mostly in Masbate City.
“Sa utos ng Pangulo, agad nating sinimulan ang pagkukumpuni ng mga paaralan dito sa Masbate,” Angara said. “Gusto nating matiyak na tuloy ang pag-aaral kahit tinamaan ng bagyo, at mas handa tayo sa mga darating pang sakuna.”
Major restoration works are expected to be completed between December and February next year while the funds for totally damaged classrooms will be included in the 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) and Quick Response Fund (QRF), according to DepEd.
-jpv
