President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday expressed satisfaction over the current relief efforts for flood survivors in Bicol, pledging that assistance will continue until conditions return to normal.
While the immediate needs of storm victims are being addressed, President Marcos emphasized the importance of finding a long-term solution to the flooding in the region, which he attributes to climate change.
“For the immediate needs I think we’re okay. Ang problema talaga natin dito may [mga] area pang baha,” the President said during the situation briefing at the Naga City Hall.
Mayor Nelson Legacion told the President that the city is actively procuring more food packs. He thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its commitment to supply additional aid.
Legacion said the DSWD has committed around 35,000 food packs expected to arrive soon. So far, the city government has distributed approximately 3,000 of them.
About 15,000 individuals sought shelter in evacuation centers with roughly 200 families still housed at the Naga City Hall, he said.
He said damage to infrastructure, including the bridges, has exceeded P1 billion.
Meanwhile, Acting Albay Gov. Glenda Ong-Bongao said over 92,000 families in the province need more food supplies.
“Ang immediate needs ngayon ng ating mga affected families –92,022 families — ay food packs pa rin,” Bongao said.
“Maraming salamat po, (DSWD) Secretary (Rex Gatchalian) nakapagbigay na po ng mga 33,000 but sa dami po niyan, we are asking more or less 60,000 na food packs,” she added.
Following the briefing, President Marcos handed over P50 million and P30 million in financial assistance from the Office of the President to Bongao and Legacion, respectively. (PND)
