Vice President Leni Robredo. (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has called on the public and private entities to help victims of Tropical Depression “Usman” by means of providing livelihood opportunities and psychological therapy.
According to Robredo, who visited calamity-affected residents of Baragay Iraya in Buhi, Camarines Sur on Thursday, some of the residents still find it difficult to talk about what they have gone through during the devastation.
“Iyong mga nakausap ko ngayon na mga pamilya, parang tulala pa, kasi talaga namang — halimbawa, iyong isa, seven members of the family iyong namatay […] Sa Sagñay kahapon, doseng anak, walo iyong namatay, iyong dalawa nawawala pa,” Robredo told reporters in an interview.
“Ang laking psychological na therapy iyong kinakailangan ng family members na naiwan. Pero hindi lang siguro psychological therapy, pati iyong paano sila magsisimula muli, lalo na iyong mga nawalan ng magulang, iyong anak na lang iyong natira,” she added.
The Vice President also added that the local government units (LGUs) already have their hands full of various tasks including the rebuilding of government properties and restoring normalcy in their operations.
“Iyong LGU kasi, talagang ano din sila, ang daming ginagawa nang sabay-sabay. Kaya siguro, nakikiusap siguro tayo sa mga… hindi lang government agencies pero pati mga organizations na nagre-render ng help,” Robredo explained.
“Kami, makakatulong kami doon sa psychological therapy, kasi marami kaming mga partners na nagbibigay nito. Pero iyon sigurong mahihingi natin na tulong sa OCD saka sa NDRRMC, iyong ano lang, iyong pagsimula,” she noted.
According to latest reports, 105 bodies have been recovered after “Usman” ripped through the eastern part of the country, especially the Bicol region. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said in its report that at least 20 are still missing.
READ: Bicol ‘Usman’ death toll hits 105; 20 still missing
On Wednesday, Robredo asked government officials to impose stricter measures against landslides, after 25 people in Barangay Patitinan, Sagñay were killed after heavy rains softened the landmass.
READ: Robredo calls for stricter measures against landslides
The incident in Sagñay is the second recent rainfall-induced landslide, after one in Itogon, Benguet last September 2018 due to Typhoon Ompong.
Another landslide occurred in Naga City in Cebu, although it was not due to heavy rain. At least 75 were killed in Itogon, while 29 were buried alive in Naga. /jpv
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