As its sending of cash and relief goods for the victims of super typhoon Odette continued, the BBM-Sara UniTeam announced they are now distributing construction materials for the repair of damaged houses in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, worried about the dangers posed to homeless street children by the sudden resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, the UniTeam urged for the immediate establishment of a “text helpline” to rescue and keep them off the streets.
In an interview on Wednesday over SMNI, presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the areas devastated by Odette are already in the reconstruction phase, and that is also what their UniTeam is currently addressing.
The former senator stressed that he personally saw the needs of the residents after their visits to the areas badly hit by the typhoon.
Bongbong also called on supporters that apart from donating relief goods, that they may also send construction materials to be immediately distributed to Odette’s victims.
“Humihingi kami ng tulong sa lahat ng ating mga kaibigan at dahan-dahan ay ipinapadala namin sa iba’t ibang lugar na tinamaan ng Odette,” the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer said.
The BBM-Sara UniTeam has been continuously distributing cash aid and relief goods to the areas devastated by the typhoon.
Marcos also stressed the need to rescue the street kids immediately because they are the ones who are more susceptible to the disease, especially since it is feared that the new variant, Omicron which could infect and spread faster than other variants is now in the country.
“This past Christmas, the number of our compatriots begging on the streets has increased dramatically. It is really worrying because the number of our COVID cases is increasing rapidly. I am even more worried because our young people are more vulnerable roaming the streets so we must rescue them immediately,” Marcos said.
Health experts say that young children could be more susceptible to contracting the infection from the new variant although it is believed that it is not as virulent as the Delta strain.
Marcos and his running-mate Inday Sara Duterte said that one of the solutions they see to keep children off the streets is to install a ‘Text Helpline’ that is exclusively dedicated to rescuing them.
The project is designed to encourage concerned citizens to inform appropriate authorities on the presence of children that need rescuing in their respective communities.
“The action will be fast here because any netizen or our compatriot can shoot them with a cellphone. They will post it on the ‘Helpline online’ to be built or the exact location will be given and the LGU, or the police and the barangay under its jurisdiction, will respond immediately to rescue them,” Marcos said.
The BBM-Sara UniTeam said that close coordination and cooperation among relevant agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine National Police (PNP), LGUs and barangays will be needed to ensure the success of the program.
A former senator, Marcos co-authored Republic Act 10821, also known as the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, which provides protection for children affected by calamities and man-made disasters.
“The protection of the rights and interests of children should never be compromised in whatever situation they may be in,” Marcos stressed.
According to him, if the national government, local government units (LGUs) and barangay officials will work together, it will be easier to rescue the homeless children.
Duterte, for her part, said there should also be a long-term plan on how to take care, protect and give appropriate guidance to the rescued street children.
“Let’s give them decent housing. Good education, meaningful and productive program. We must ensure that they have a good education so that we can ensure their good future,” she said.