HAZARD A fallen electrical pole blocks the road in Lincod, Maribojoc, Bohol, on Friday. Power restoration efforts are under way in the Visayas and Mindanao provinces hit by Typhoon “Odette,” but officials say local conditions must first ensure the safety of engineers and linemen to be deployed. —Reuters
President Duterte on Sunday said he would look for another P2 billion to augment his P2-billion initial commitment for the recovery of provinces devastated by Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai).
“So we gave P2 billion and you’ll divide the amount. We’ve already started giving assistance, so I’ll look for another P2 billion,” the President said in his remarks in Inabanga, Bohol.
Mr. Duterte went to Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol and Cebu over the weekend to assess the typhoon’s impact and had met with local officials to know their immediate needs.
He appealed for patience, disclosing that government funds “have been nearly depleted” due to pandemic-related expenditures.
Nevertheless, he committed that the national government will urgently provide for the needs of typhoon-hit areas and their residents, which include rice and water, construction materials for rebuilding of damaged houses and housing assistance, with topmost priority given to the poor.
Housing materials
Also, he said that with the 2022 national budget taking effect in about two weeks, the government would have “more money to spend” in the rebuilding homes, road repairs and other forms of assistance in the typhoon-stricken areas.
For those rendered homeless, the National Housing Authority can “immediately” build 5,000 to 30,000 houses, he said, adding that the government was also ready to provide materials for those wishing to repair their damaged homes.
“We will have to help first those who have nothing right now. But for those whose houses are still intact and just need some repairs, you’ll be next to receive help,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, acting presidential spokesperson, said the President instructed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario to provide housing assistance to residents whose places of residence have been damaged by the typhoon.
Mr. Duterte also instructed Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi to call on the private sector to help and encourage gas stations to open and operate.
Restoration of electricity
According to Nograles, the DOE was prioritizing the restoration of electricity in Cebu. He said that the time of the President’s visit to the province, power had been restored in some parts of Cebu for utilities such as hospitals.
Nograles said the Department of Agriculture has allocated P445.1 million to assist farmers and fisherfolk in the region who suffered heavily due to the damage caused by Odette.
Two party list lawmakers, for their part, on Monday called on the Duterte administration to immediately release calamity funds and relief goods for victims of Odette in order to avert the possibility of riots and looting in affected areas.
Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said there should be P36 billion in calamity funds from the 2020 national budget, which was extended until the end of 2021, and this year’s national budget.
“The government should hurry and hasten the deployment of funds and relief goods to areas badly hit by Odette in order to immediately help our countrymen in their time of need,” he said in a statement.
Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat said adequate relief goods and building materials should have been prepositioned in strategic areas even before Odette made landfall.
“This is why the pitiful situation of our countrymen is seen until today, it’s as if our government officials do not learn from the past,” said Cullamat, whose home region of Caraga was badly hit by the typhoon.