Duterte to visit ‘Usman’ victims on Friday

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Barangay Summit on Good Governance Region 11, held at the RMC Petro Gazz Arena in Davao City on December 18, 2018. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to visit those recently affected by floods and landslides brought about by Tropical Depression Usman in Bicol on Friday (Jan. 4), Malacañang said on Thursday.

“We’re scheduled to visit tomorrow sa (in) Bicol area, Camarines Sur. We will check on the stricken areas para malaman natin kung ano pang kailangang gawin (to find out what else we need to do),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing but did not give further details.

“Lahat ng kailangan nila, ibibigay ni Presidente (The President will provide them with everything they need),” he added, noting that aid has already and will continue to be given to those who need it.

Panelo admitted that the President was “saddened” by reports that there has been a lack of coordination between national government and local government units over the onslaught of the tropical depression but noted that “there are things you cannot control.”

“Natural lamang na malungkot ang Presidente sa mga panahon ng kalamidad pero ginawa naman natin ang lahat na maging handa but (It’s only natural for the President to be saddened during times of calamity but even if we have done everything to prepare), there are things you cannot control,” Panelo said.

Panelo cited instances, such as the power outages in the Bicol region that may have caused the lack of coordination but assured that the government will learn from its shortcomings.

“There are certain matters na hindi kaagad naka responde at may paliwanag naman ang mga LGUs (where they were not able to immediately respond but I am certain LGUs have an explanation for this),” Panelo said.

“We will learn from whatever lesson we have seen. Ganun naman tayo eh. ‘Pag medyo nagkamali or meron tayong mga dapat na gawin, gagawin natin (That’s how we are. If we’ve made mistakes or failed to do something we should have done, we’ll do it),” he added.

The latest report from the Office of Civil Defense in the Bicol region showed that the death toll due to “Usman” has climbed to 105.

The highest death toll was reported in Camarines Sur with 57 validated deaths followed by Albay with 18, Camarines Norte with15, eight in Sorsogon, and Masbate with seven.

Meanwhile, there were 53 injured and 23 missing.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), damages and losses wrought by the tropical depression have increased to PHP816.17 million.

The estimated volume of production loss was 18,634 metric tons (MT) and damaged agricultural areas was 40,075 hectares affecting 36,902 farmers and fisherfolk in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Samar.