House execs: 170,000 typhoon victims in Bicol get P850-M aid in BPSF

Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) is anticipated to hit the Bicol Region in this photo taken on Nov. 16, 2024, prompting locals to take shelter in a mall as early as Friday night, November 15, 2024. Photo from Barangay Ubaliw / Facebook

LEGAZPI, Albay – At least 170,000 residents inBicol Region recently affected by the series of typhoons got help during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on Thursday, where P850-million worth of aid was distributed.

During the Tabang Bicol-Tindog Oragon program’s leg here on Thursday, House officials led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol party-list Reps. Elizaldy Co and Raul Angelo Bongalon, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, and 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez distributed the aid to 53,000 beneficiaries in Albay.

“Narito po kami ngayon bilang pagtugon sa panawagan ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na magkapit bisig upang maghatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan na sinalanta ng mga nakaraang bagyo,” Romualdez told the crowd at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation.

(We are here as a response to the call of our beloved President Bongbong Marcos that we stand united to deliver aid to our fellow Filipinos hit by the recent typhoons.)

“This united effort is a testament to the resilience and bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people. As we rebuild lives and communities, let us continue to work hand-in-hand for a stronger and more prepared nation. Rest assured, your government remains steadfast in providing support and hope during these trying times,” he added.

Former lawmaker and incumbent Legazpi Mayor Alfredo Garbin was also present during the aid distribution in Albay.

Prior to the Albay BPSF, Romualdez went to Catanduanes — another typhoon-hit province in Bicol Region — where P100 million in cash assistance were distributed for around 20,000 beneficiaries in the province.

Aside from that, 10,000 packs of relief goods were given to Catanduanes residents, which contained a total of 140,000 kilograms of rice.  There were also housing materials for 950 families, according to Romualdez.

There were also relief operations under the BPSF banner in Naga City, Camarines Sur, specifically at the Jesse Robredo Coliseum, where P125 million worth of cash assistance was earmarked for over 25,000 beneficiaries..

Another stop was made at Pili, also in Camarines Sur, for the distribution of P164 million worth of cash grants and 132,000 kilograms of rice for around 34,000 beneficiaries.

In an ambush interview after the Albay BPSF, Romualdez said he considers the relief operations across Bicol Region successful as they were able to bring key agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) — departments critical for recovery efforts.

“Of course it was successful, because this Tabang Bicol, Tindog Oragon was done through the help of many individuals.  I am thanking the local officials for helping us plan and coordinate with the agencies helping here, like DSWD, DOLE, DOH, DSHUD,” Romualdez noted.

“This is the call of our beloved President, na that we help Bikolano badly affected by Typhoons Kristine and Pepito that’s why we called for a whole of government approach, we are all out in our support here, it is not just social aid, it is not just to build materials, not only for future plans but also to avoid this kind of damage, these floods, we have programs like an impounding dam, and for using flood waters for irrigation,” he added.

Co meanwhile thanked Romualdez for facilitating the assistance provision, as recovery for Bicolanos will be made easier by the assistance.

“This program underscores Speaker Romualdez’s dedication to uplifting Filipinos in need.  Our sincerest gratitude to Speaker Martin and the House of Representatives for bringing hope and concrete assistance to our people. Through this program, we can significantly aid many Bicolanos in recovering from the successive typhoons,” Co said.

“As we celebrate the success of this program, let us remain united in our efforts to help one another. Thank you, Speaker Romualdez, for your unwavering leadership and concern for Bicolanos,” he added.

Provinces on the eastern part of Luzon and Visayas were hard-hit by at least five successive tropical cyclones, starting from late October up to the third week of November.  According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the three most-recent tropical cyclones — Nika, Ofel, and Pepito — displaced more than 600,000 people across the country.

READ: Marcos laments Pepito took one life: ‘1 casualty is a casualty too many’ 

Damage was estimated to be P500 million.

READ: Typhoon trio aftermath: 600,000 displaced, P500M in damage 

Reports said that seven have died due to Super Typhoon Pepito.  Previously, government authorities said there was one person from Camarines Norte who died, which President Marcos said was still too much.