Over P100 million will be released by the national government to Masbate to help in the rehabilitation of the island province after it was devastated by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Opong’ (international name: Bualoi) last week.
President Ferdinand Marcos made the announcement during his visit in Masbate City last Wednesday to lead in the distribution of government aid to the typhoon victims in the province.
‘I already instructed the DBM [Department of Budget and Management]before I left Manila to download 100 million [pesos] to the LGSF (Local Government Support Fund) [of Masbate] so you can use it,’ he told the provincial government of Masbate in Filipino in his speech during the distribution event.
He noted the provincial government of Masbate needed the financial support since the province is still recovering from the effects of Typhoon ‘Emong’ (international name: Co-may).
The national government, Marcos said, will continue to extend aid to Masbate to help in its recovery from the effects of Opong.
‘Don’t worry, the government’s support will continue as long as you need it. Even if it takes us a little longer because you haven’t repaired your homes yet, we are already supporting you,’ he told the beneficiaries in Filipino at the distribution event.
During the event, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P10,000 each of the 600 families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided P28-million worth of cash-for-work assistance to 6,455 beneficiaries.
The local government of Masbate placed the province under a state of calamity after Opong killed three of its constituents and affected 57,113 others. Some parts of the Masbate also became isolated as the recent weather disturbance left them without power and mobile phone signals.
Opong also destroyed over 800 classrooms in the province. Marcos said the repairs of the said classroom will take around a month to complete.
The local officials from the typhoon-hit areas are currently seeking additional funding to help in the recovery of their respective localities.
Pressing concerns
After attending a situation briefing from the provincial government of Masbate, Marcos said among the pressing concerns in the province was lack of access to cash in the affected communities due to lack of power in many of its banks as well as the significant damage to agriculture by Opong.
He said two operational branches of Land Bank of the Philippines will try to provide for the cash withdrawal needs in Masbate.
As for the typhoon-affected farmers, the President said they will be given financial assistance, seedlings, as well as help in the processing of their crop insurance so they can continue planting crops.
During his visit to Masbate, Marcos helped in the distribution of family food packs from the DSWD and the hygiene kits from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
He said the Department of Health (DOH) also deployed medical teams to ensure the health of people in the affected communities.
Generator sets and satellite internet, the President said, were also sent to help restore power in hospitals and communications lines, respectively, in Masbate.
Marcos said DOH will release P3 million to help in the repairs of the Masbate Provincial Hospital in Masbate City, which was damaged by Opong.
As of September 30, a total of 339 patients have been admitted to the hospital which has 364 hospital personnel.