President Aquino: We’ve done our best to help Yolanda-hit areas

President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the updates on the on-going rehabilitation efforts by Guiuan Municipal Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales at the Guiuan Public Market in Barangay 6, Poblacion during the visit to the province of Eastern Samar on Friday (November 07). It was in Guiuan where super typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded, made its first landfall on November 08, 2013. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo bureau)

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — President Benigno C. Aquino told critics that the government has done everything in the recovery process of areas pounded by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

Aquino asked the public to understand that the government will not be able to address all immediate needs, owing to the massive scale of destruction, affecting 1.47 million families or more than five million Filipinos.

“Ilang pamilya ang kinailangan nating sabay-sabay na mabigyan ng pagkain at agarang pangangailangan? Ulitin ko lang po: 1.47 million families (How many families needed to be given immediate help and sustenance? I just want to reiterate: 1.47 million families),” the President recalled.

“So, lampas limang milyong katao po iyan araw-araw kailangang makakain. Siyempre, habang pinapakain mo, sinisigurado mo ring hindi magkaroon ng sakit, at iba pang mga pangangailangan (So, over five million people have to be fed everyday. Of course, you also have to make sure they don’t get sick and provide them with other necessities).”

Aquino said that all government resources have been mobilized to help meet all needs of typhoon victims. Not to mention the outpouring aid from the private sector and the international community.

“Ibinuhos po talaga ang lahat ng magagawa para sa mga apektadong lugar. Mabilis na nag-mobilize ang ating mga ahensya para sa clearing operations, at para ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng kuryente, tubig, pagkain ay maibalik agad sa abot ng ating makakaya (We did everything we can on all affected areas. We mobilized agencies immediately to do clearing operations and to restore primary needs like electricity, clean water, and food).”

From November 2013 until June 2014, the government provided 12.2 million family food packs.

The Chief Executive reported that in the aftermath of Yolanda, the government provided 1,200 chainsaw to clear coconut farms. Recently, the government procured an additional 1,500 chainsaws to fast track clearing operation and pave the way for replanting.

For livelihood assistance, the President reported that the Department of Labor and Employment reached out to 33,338 persons of the 44,778 target. Some 11,440 are getting continuing assistance.

From November 2013 to September 2014, the Department of Social Welfare and Development listed 90,226 beneficiaries of cash for work program.

The Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority has already trained 12,843 individuals of the 24,535 target. Training is ongoing for 2,692 beneficiaries.

“Sa 2015, layon pa nating magsagawa ng panibagong training para sa 24,465 katao, at 26,915 naman po sa taong 2016. Sumatotal, 75,915 sa ating mga kababayan pagkatapos ng kanilang pagsasanay, ay may sapat nang kakayahang maitaguyod ang sarili at ang kanilang mga pamilya (On 2015, we plan to conduct a new training program for 24,465 people and 26,915 on 2016. All in all, 75,915 Filipinos will finish their training to ensure adequate skills to provide for themselves and their families),” Aquino explained

For the farming sector, the President highlighted the provision of seeds, fertilizer, farm tools, and training.

Of the 33,432 target for fishing boat rebuilding, 30,186 units have been completed.

After Yolanda, the government planned to build 2,313 classrooms. As of today, 101 have been completed and 1,095 units are ongoing.

Along Yolanda’s path, 280 government health facilities are now being rehabilitated.

“Nagpakitang-gilas din po ang ating DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) sa konstruksiyon ng mga munisipyo, civic centers, palengke, upang mapabilis at mapasigla muli ang daloy ng komersiyo at serbisyo sa mga komunidad (Our DILG also showed us what they can do by constructing municipal halls, civic centers, and marketplaces to hasten the flow of commerce and services to the community),” the President said.