By Azer Parrocha | Philippine News Agency
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Thursday he would spend the holidays working to ensure that communities battered by Typhoon Odette would receive their much-needed assistance.
“Maski ngayong Pasko, magta-trabaho pa rin ako at marami akong pupuntahan yung mga lugar na gutom yung tao, may sakit na, at hindi nakakain,” he said in a speech in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Duterte said the government would work “overtime”, noting that it is the least he could do to help his fellow Filipinos at a time of crisis.
“Ang gobyerno hindi magsara para maski na Pasko. Sabi ko magsakripisyo na muna tayo tutal marami nang Pasko sa buhay natin, sobra-sobra na. Itong Pasko na ito, ibigay natin sa tao. ‘Yun lang naman ang maibigay ko sa personal,” he said.
Aside from extending assistance, Duterte said he also wanted to bring hope during uncertain times.
“I am here to give you hope,” he added.
He assured that the military and police would also be deployed to maintain peace and order in typhoon-hit provinces amid reports of looting caused by lack of food and other basic supplies.
“So ta-trabaho kami. Pati ang military, pati ang pulis. Stay put sila para namang wala masyadong gulo. Para lang konting disiplina at mabigyan lahat,” he said.
Duterte also assured victims that he has raised P10 billion for disaster response.
“Naka-raise ako ng P10 billion so ‘yan ibigay sa tao. It does not include everything but only ito… para lang sa tao galing sa opisina ko ‘to. Iba yung mga tulong ng ibang ahensya. At ito para lang sa makahawak ng pera at iikot yung pera sa isang lugar para makatindig ulit yung mga tao,” he said.
He apologized anew for delays in the distribution of aid, noting paperwork took time and funds were depleted.
“Sa totoo lang, hirap din kami dito sa itaas because of the so many places scattered around at malalayo,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also bared that he would travel to Cebu to hold a command conference with security forces.
“Pupunta ako ng Cebu, doon ako mag meeting. Pinatawag ko yung mga pinaka-malaki sa militar pati pulis, magbigay ako ng instructions,” he added.
Duterte previously visited Maasin, Leyte; Inabanga, Bohol; Argao, Cebu; and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Island to meet local officials and personally distribute relief assistance to those displaced by the typhoon. (PNA) -rir
