PUNCHLINE
By FRED M. LOBO
Fred M. Lobo
President Duterte has ordered the speedy grant of assistance and long-term protection to thousands of Taal folks in the wake of its devastating eruption.
“Come up with measures to protect public interest, public safety, public health, and ensure that food is ready,” the President told concerned government officials and agencies.
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Duterte issued his directive during a visit to the affected areas late Tuesday where he received reports that more than 10,000 families, or some 53,109 individuals, were already adversely affected by Taal’s eruption.“Extend assistance speedily and release needed funds in a day or two,” the President ordered national and local officials and agencies.
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The President stressed disaster preparedness in Taal and other disaster-prone areas of the country in a meeting with DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, Defense Sec. DelfinLorenzana, Philvocs and other concerned officials.He was told that Taal’s eruption adversely affected Lipa, Tanauan, Laurel, Talisay, and Lemery in Batangas; Amadeo, Tagaytay, Alfonso, Indang, and Mendez in Cavite; Calamba and Cabuyao in Laguna.
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The President, in a visit to evacuees in Batangas City on Tuesday night, distributed family food packs to the victims while some families each received P3,000 worth of assistance.The DSWD, DOH and other concerned agencies provided P4,971,175 in aid to the affected families.
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The NDRRM assured the President and the people that they have enough stockpiles of resources to meet the needs of the evacuees.***
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said that the initial assessment of economic impact in the province of Batangas alone already amounted to R7.63 billion.The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the figure is much higher if public and private damage costs are included.
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Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III assured that the government is committed to help areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.***
Farmers and fisherfolks have been offered by the Department of Agriculture (DA) zero and low-interest emergency loans, he said.***
“Based on our estimates, our country loses 1-2 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to natural disasters, especially from typhoons every year. So we are likewise working on a natural catastrophe cover for our strategically important assets like schools, roads, and bridges against tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, earthquakes, and storm surges,” Dominguez said.***
Meanwhile, President Duterte has ordered mandatory evacuation of Filipinos in Iraq and Iran as tensions between US and Iran continued.The Philippine government intends to move Filipinos from Iraq and Iran to a safer place, possibly Qatar, Malacanang said.
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“Per Secretary Lorenzana, there is a ship, which we recently bought, coming from Malta and is already on its way to the Middle East. And then we have three frigates, and there are also 200 ships ready to go. The instruction is the repatriation of the Filipinos in the areas of conflict… to a safe place,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said.