PBBM visits ‘Kristine’ ground zero in Talisay, hands over P60-M aid

FILE: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday visited the “ground zero” in Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay, Batangas, where at least 20 died due to a landslide at the height of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

Marcos offered a holy Mass, attended by approximately 100 individuals, including families of victims and residents of the ground zero in Barangay Sampaloc.

The President turned over a total of PHP60 million financial assistance to the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Lemery, and Balete, with each town receiving PHP10 million.

Financial aid worth PHP10,000 was also given to 10 select farmer beneficiaries from Talisay and Agoncillo.

Further, housing materials worth PHP6 million from the Metrobank Foundation were also distributed to the victims.

In his speech, Marcos extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Nais ko pong ipaabot ang aming taos-pusong pakikiraramay sa bawat Pilipinong naapektuhan ng Bagyong Kristine (I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to every Filipino affected by Kristine),” Marcos said.

Enhance disaster preparedness

The President also ordered various government agencies to strengthen disaster preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact of typhoons, and other natural disasters.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been directed to improve early warning systems and closely coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide the public with timely information and increase awareness.

To prevent flooding, especially in low-lying areas, the President ordered the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to ensure gradual and calibrated water release operations in dams before a typhoon arrives.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), meanwhile, was urged to enhance the slope protection designs of the roads and bridges to make them more adaptable to changing climate patterns.

The President also committed to completing the Taal Lake Circumferential Road to reduce travel time between the towns of Talisay, Agoncillo and Laurel.

An infrastructure project connecting the municipalities of Lobo and San Juan to enhance connectivity in the province is also in the pipeline.

“Patuloy nating pagtibayin ang diwa ng bayanihan tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas na handa sa lahat ng pagsubok (Let’s continue to strengthen the spirit of bayanihan towards a New Philippines that is ready for all challenges),” he said.

Marcos has declared Nov. 4 as a Day of National Mourning for the victims of Kristine, which brought torrential rains over most of Luzon from Oct. 21 to 25, triggering massive flooding and landslides.