By Vanne Terrazola Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday expressed sympathies for the residents displaced by typhoon Ursula that hit the Visayas provinces on Christmas Day. A resident looks at a house damaged at the height of Typhoon Ursula in Tacloban, Leyte province in the central Philippines on December 25, 2019. (Photo by Bobbie ALOTA / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. I expressed my sincere sympathy to all the victims, especially my kasimanwas who are going through difficult times,” Drilon, who hails from Iloilo, said. Drilon issued a statement saying he donated P1.5-million worth of relief goods to Typhoon Ursula victims in Panay island provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, and Capiz. He said he partnered with private organizations to put together 3,000 food packs for the affected residents. Aside from the food packs, 1,000 pieces of blankets will also be given to displaced families through the local government units, he added. Drilon vowed to look for more assistance "to help rebuild the lives of the victims and the community."  He also urged Filipinos to help and pray for the victims and affected families. Ursula, known internationally as Typhoon Phanfone, left at least 47 dead and thousands of families homeless when it exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday. Twenty six of the fatalities were from Western Visayas, while the others were from Cebu province, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Samar, and Southern Leyte, as well as Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro.