Marcos vows continued relief for Masbate after Opong onslaught

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

CONTINUED RELIEF. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Oct. 1, 2025) leads the distribution of relief goods to affected families in Masbate, as part of the government’s ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Opong. The ceremonial distribution was held at Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed sustained government relief and recovery efforts in Masbate, which is under a state of calamity after being among the hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

Marcos made the vow during the distribution of various forms of assistance at the Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City, acknowledging that thousands of Masbate residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of Opong.

In his speech, Marcos vowed continued assistance until displaced families and communities have fully recovered from Opong’s most severe impacts, which damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and limited access to basic services.

“Huwag kayo pong mag-alala, hindi kayo basta maiiwanan na lang. Kahit nakadaan na ang bagyo, nandito pa rin ang inyong pamahalaan. Hindi po kami aalis dito hanggang lahat ng evacuees, lahat ng mga tinamaan ng bagyo ay nakatayo na, nakaahon na (Do not worry, you will not be left behind. Even though the storm is over, your government is still here. We will not leave until all evacuees, all those affected by the typhoon, are back on their feet and have recovered),” he said.

“Iyan po ang aming hangarin – laging makapag-serbisyo pagka lalo na ganitong panahon ng bagyo (Our goal is to always serve, especially during times like this when typhoons strike),” Marcos added.

During the ceremonial distribution, around 600 affected families each received PHP10,000 in cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 5 (Bicol) also turned over two checks totaling over PHP34.8 million to the Masbate provincial government for 6,455 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program beneficiaries from 11 municipalities.

Marcos also oversaw the distribution of additional financial assistance, TUPAD payouts and aid from the government internship program by the DOLE; family food packs, hygiene kits, malongs, 10-meter laminated sacks, and water filtration kits from the DSWD; ‘chari-timba’ or pails with various grocery items from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO); and hot meals along with mobile kitchen services from the Philippine Red Cross.

He also turned over two Starlink units to Nursery Elementary School.

“Meron tayong cash assistance dahil ang bawat pamilya ay iba-iba ang pangangailangan. Kaya’t hindi naman basta’t ito lang ang ating ibibigay (We have cash assistance because every family has different needs. So, this won’t be the only form of help we provide),” Marcos said.

“Iyan po ay tuluy-tuloy naman po ang ating ginawa. At kagaya nang aking nabanggit, huwag po kayong mag-alala nandito po kami at kung anong pangangailangan niyo – pagkain, gamot, cash, kung anuman, ay nandito po tayo para tulungan kayo (This is part of our ongoing efforts. As I mentioned, don’t worry, we are here, and whatever you need —food, medicine, cash, or anything else — we are here to help you),” he added.

Marcos also lauded the proactive measures taken by local governments to ensure the safety of their residents.

Marcos said his administration is committed to expediting the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, especially school buildings, within a month.

He made the remark after learning that around 806 classrooms were destroyed by Opong.

Marcos, however, acknowledged that power restoration remains a challenge but stressed that generator sets have already been deployed to critical facilities such as hospitals.

He also urged displaced residents to be patient during the recovery process.

“Huwag po kayong magdadalawang isip, kapag may pangangailangan, kung maibigay naming, gagawin naming, ibibigay po naming sa inyo (Don’t hesitate, if you have any needs and we can provide for them, we will do our best to give them to you),” Marcos said.

Marcos also instructed the Department of Budget and Management to release PHP100 million in Local Government Support Fund to support the rehabilitation efforts of the provincial government of Masbate.