By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. turned over an additional P120 million worth of aid from his office to the local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region on Friday.
In a situation briefing held in Agusan del Sur, Marcos assured the LGUs that the government will continue to provide assistance to affected families in the region, particularly medicines and potable water.
The breakdown of financial assistance, in the form checks, was as follows:
- Agusan del Sur (P40 million)
- Agusan del Norte (P15 million)
- Surigao del Sur (P35 million)
- Surigao del Norte (P10 million)
- Butuan City (P20 million)
President Marcos mentioned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) already lent water purification machines to regions affected by the recent inclement weather.
“We’ll continue to provide what we can but we have to have longer term, a more extended solution and what we usually do sa ibang lugar, nagpapadala kami ng purification system na galing pa sa MMDA ‘yung iba,” Marcos continued.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., on the other hand, said there are still remaining 15 units of water purification machines that can be borrowed by Caraga as some of its units were currently deployed in Davao Region.
“One machine can provide 185 gallons per hour. So, bukas po padala po natin kaagad,” Abalos added.
Meanwhile, Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. said their quick release funds were already provided to the DOH Regional Office in Caraga.
“The regional office has already provided some of the medicines, some of them are for the wash, water and sanitation, and hygiene. We already provided a bladder (tank) for water,” Sec. Herbosa added.
“We also provided aqua tabs because we detected coliforms in the water source, so we are trying to avoid any outbreak in waterborne diseases.
During the meeting, Marcos also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize repairing the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) building in Caraga after it was damaged by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in December 2023.
Said PAGASA building contained a Doppler radar which was used in weather forecasting.
“Have a look at it kasi very important ‘yan for the forecasting. Para at least may warnings tayo when these things happen. Mayroon tayong warning na may parating na heavy rains, low pressure area,” the Chief Executive told DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“That’s why forecasting has even become more important than it always was. That’s why tama ‘yung concern na kung mayroon talagang Doppler radar doon na ginagamit for the forecasting, that should be operational,” said the President. – avds
