By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of P760 million in cash assistance from the Office of the President (OP) to 38 provinces and cities hit by Typhoon Tino, which already killed over a hundred individuals in various areas.
At a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the funds will support immediate recovery, restoration, and assistance in the most affected areas.
According to Castro, P50 million each will go to Cebu, Capiz, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo, Bohol, and Negros Occidental, while P40 million each will go to Eastern Samar, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, Antique, and Aklan.
Leyte and Masbate will get P30 million each; Guimaras, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands will receive P20 million each; and P10 million each will go to Biliran, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, and Palawan.
Additionally, P5 million each is also allocated to Albay, Batangas, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Quezon, Samar, Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Zamboanga City, Camiguin, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Iligan City, and Romblon.
The City of Manila will also get P5 million to assist individuals who were stranded at the port and airport areas.
“Sinisiguro ng pamahalaan, sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., na lahat ay maaabot ng tulong at kalinga saan mang panig ng bansa,” Castro said.
Meanwhile, she added that there is no request for foreign assistance yet because there are still sufficient calamity funds.
Marcos earlier declared a “state of national calamity” following Tino’s onslaught and in anticipation of a tropical cyclone, which will be given the local name “Uwan” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) over the weekend.
Based on PAGASA’s track forecast, potential Uwan may intensify up to a super typhoon strength and may make landfall at or near peak intensity.
Castro noted that the President has also ordered the deployment of first responders across northern and Central Luzon, where Uwan may make landfall early next week.
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