Even as Super Typhoon “Pepito” continued to wreak havoc in parts of the country, Congress already dispatched 24 large trucks to deliver much-needed relief goods to displaced families in the Bicol region, badly battered by consecutive storms.
The convoy of 22-wheeler trucks departed from the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Sunday, bringing with them food, hygiene kits, clothing and other essentials.
President Marcos, in close coordination with Speaker Martin Romualdez, the House of Representatives, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development rolled out nearly P750 million to implement the “Tabang Bikol, Tindog Oragon” initiative.
Aside from the initial delivery of relief goods, the relief effort also provides financial assistance to over 150,000 beneficiaries across the region.
The program, with Romualdez as the main proponent, aims to support communities in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay as they recover from the devastation caused by typhoons “Kristine,” “Carina” and “Pepito.”
He said the logistics effort reflects a shared commitment by the government and private donors to deliver tangible relief to affected areas.
“‘Tabang Bikol’ is not only all about financial aid but also a symbol of concern and unity with the entire Filipino people,” he said.
He explained that the relief effort includes three major activities — financial assistance payouts, a mini-Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair and the distribution of relief goods.
The distribution of financial aid under the DSWD’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations program will begin on Nov. 18.
Likewise, the mini-BPSF, scheduled for Nov. 21, will offer residents access to vital government services, including housing, healthcare and livelihood programs.
Romualdez said the effort reflects lessons learned about disaster relief in the aftermath of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” which flattened Eastern Visayas in 2013.
In a separate effort, the House is also ready to release funds to congressional districts affected by “Pepito,” the Speaker said.
“We are just waiting for the report of our members and the extent of the damage in their respective areas so we can release funds for the victims of the typhoon,” he noted.
“Of course, the funds to be released are intended for repairs of damaged houses and for basic necessities of people who lost their livelihoods because of the typhoon,” Romualdez further explained.
He said lawmakers whose districts were affected by “Pepito” will likely start submitting their requests for financial assistance on behalf of their constituents today.
As this developed, The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol Center for Health Development (CHD) is giving advance medical services to storm-hit residents of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay and Masbate.
According to the health agency, DOH Bicol CHD is currently a Code White alert status, which means public hospitals are on alert and ready to aid patients affected by the typhoon.
DOH urged the public in affected areas to evacuate early and prepare their Go bag which includes survival kits, food, toiletries, and first aid.
Meanwhile, different units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are ready to participate in rescue and relief operations.
Visayas Command (VISCOM) chief Lieutenant General Fernando Reyeg, said personnel under his command are ready to participate in support of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations in affected communities.
He said eight HADR Teams composed of 66 Officers and Enlisted Personnel were mobilized to assist the preemptive evacuation efforts in Eastern Samar.
Several additional teams have also been deployed to facilitate the delivery of much-needed relief goods to the affected areas in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran.
A total of 20,019 families in Eastern Visayas have been evacuated to designated evacuation centers.
For his part, 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) chief Major Gen. Cerilo Balaoro, Jr. gave out similar orders.
2ID Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, all available troops were gathered and 27 teams were organized, including four disaster response units, ahead of Pepito’s onslaught.
All available vehicles at the headquarters 2ID are on standby to help deliver relief goods or evacuate residents, including those at the battalion headquarters in the CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and the Bicol regions.
