Linemen from the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative have been deployed to immediately restore power in the province in the wake of Super Typhoon Egay. (Photo courtesy of Inec)
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the distribution of financial assistance and relief packages to residents of Bangued, Abra and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte displaced by Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri).
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc, in a situation briefing presided by the President on Saturday, also asked that construction materials be “distributed in the first phase of recovery,” instead of cash.
“In times of extreme calamity like this, cash is not really that helpful. So I think if we can, there should be a mechanism where in construction materials or temporary shelters or tents are actually distributed in the first phase of recovery. And then obviously later on, the cash can then be used,” said Manotoc.
To this, President Marcos answered: We do both.
“We do both. The reason that we give cash very soon after [the calamity] is because there are things that people need that are not included in the relief goods. For example medicines, baby care, things like these [that are not included in our packs],” said Marcos.
“There comes a point, after which they have settled, especially in evacuation centers… once they have settled themselves there, when the basic needs are all provided [such as] water, food, and shelter, the next thing that they will ask for is cash,” Marcos added in English and Filipino.
Marcos was joined by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the aid distribution the distribution.
Office of Civil Defense Region 1 Director Greg Cayetano said the typhoon displaced 36,370 individuals or around 9,540 families in 318 barangays in the entire region.