Senator Franklin Drilon has extended P1.5 million worth of relief goods to Typhoon “Ursula” victims in Panay island provinces.
On his initiative, and in partnership with private organizations, Drilon put together 3,000 food packs to residents devastated by the typhoon that ripped through Western Visayas provinces on Christmas Day.
Ursula, known internationally as Typhoon “Phanfone,” devastated mostly northern Iloilo, Aklan province and Capiz on Christmas Day, leaving thousands of residents displaced and devastated.
In addition to the 3,000 relief goods, 1,000 pieces of blankets will be given to displaced families. The assistance was coursed through local government units.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. I express my sincere sympathy to all the victims, especially my kasimanwas who are going through difficult times,” Drilon said.
Meanwhile, in a visit to typhoon victims in Pontevedra, Capiz, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged government to immediately restore basic services, such as electricity and water.
He also called on the concerned government agencies to hasten the repair of roads, and provide basic commodities to victims most in need of government attention. .
More than 272 families composed of 1,015 individuals from five different barangays have been affected by the typhoon in Pontevedra.
The senator, who has been constantly visiting areas affected by such calamities, brought immediate relief assistance, such as food, groceries and cash assistance to the victims.
“As what I have promised to the Filipino people, in whatever corner of the Philippines, we will go there. I will go there to listen to your sentiments and provide help,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided cash assistance to them while the National Housing Authority will provide housing materials and the Department of Trade and Industry will assist in providing livelihood assistance.
The extent of damage Ursula caused is yet to be determined but the typhoon has toppled electricity posts, damaged homes and roads, and disrupted transport services.
At the same time, Go said the government should always respond appropriately to crises like this.
For his part, he said he had filed bills in the Senate to further mitigate effects of such disasters and natural calamities, such as Senate Bill 205 or the “Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019” which proposes the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.
Through this measure, the existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management will be reformed locally and a Disaster Resilience Fund will also be established to finance operations, such as preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation in a national level.
In addition, Go also mentioned the Build Build Build infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration, including the Panay River Basin Project which, according to Go, is being studied by the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordinating Committee and Infrastructure Technical Board. He also added that this project is already for further evaluation and he is hoping that the value analysis study will be finished by first quarter of 2020.
Go also said another priority project of the President, the PhP97.3-billion Panay-Negros-Guimaras Bridge which was just approved last Dec. 20 by NEDA-ICC along with 11 other approved infrastructure projects.