PBBM inspects typhoon-hit areas in Nueva Vizcaya, grants P50-M aid

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

AID DISTRIBUTION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributes various government assistance to the people of Nueva Vizcaya affected by the recent onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi), at the auditorium in the province’s Bambang town on Friday (Nov. 22, 2024). The distribution of assistance was part of his administration’s commitment to accelerating recovery efforts in typhoon-affected areas. (Screenshot from Radio Television Malacañang via PNA)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday handed over PHP50 million worth of calamity assistance to the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya to ensure its immediate recovery from the impact of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).

The ceremonial turnover of the cash aid from the Office of the President (OP) was held at the auditorium in Bambang town.

Speaking before the calamity victims in Nueva Vizcaya, Marcos vowed that the OP and other concerned government agencies would double their relief and rehabilitation efforts in Pepito-hit communities.

“Ang aming ginagawa, tawag namin is whole-of-government approach, ‘yung buong pamahalaan – hindi lamang isang departamento, hindi lamang dalawang departamento kundi ‘yung buong pamahalaan – ay nagtutulungan para makatulong sa pagdala ng tulong para sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan na naging biktima dito sa mga disaster (What we are doing, we call it a whole-of-government approach, the whole government – not just one department, not just two departments but the whole government – is working together to bring aid to our countrymen in need who have been victims of disasters),” he said.

“Kung titignan po ninyo, marami pong galing sa mga iba’t ibang ahensya at huwag po nating kakalimutan ang ating mga private sector na tumutulong (If you look at it, many are from various agencies and let us not forget our private sector that is helping).”

Marcos also led the distribution of food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to about 1,000 Pepito victims.

The DSWD also granted PHP5,000 worth of cash aid to beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.

The President said the Department of Agriculture is also assessing the agricultural damage in Nueva Vizcaya, adding that affected beneficiaries would be provided with cash and non-cash assistance.

“We will provide seedlings. We will provide fertilizer. We will provide all other inputs para naman makabalik kayo kaagad sa inyong ginagawa (for your immediate recovery),” he said.

He said the national government would also closely coordinate with the local government units, as he acknowledged their crucial role as “first responders” during disasters.

Before the distribution of various government assistance, Marcos conducted an aerial inspection of typhoon-affected areas in Nueva Vizcaya.

He also inspected the typhoon-damaged bypass road in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, based on a video shared with Palace reporters by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez.

Chavez said Nueva Vizcaya Governor Jose Gambito and Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya Mayor Benjamin Lloren Cuaresma III briefed Marcos on the current situation of the Bambang Bypass Road that was severely damaged because of the strong flow of the Magat River during Pepito’s onslaught.

Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways is preparing a new flood control plan to make sure that the country’s infrastructures can withstand disasters.