De Lima commiserates with fellow Bicolanos affected by 'Rolly'
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Monday said she commiserates with her fellow Bicolanos and extended her sympathies to those who were severely affected by Typhoon "Rolly."
De Lima urged the local government to fast track its relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas badly hit by the typhoon in the Bicol Region.
Reports said 10 fatalities in Albay and Catanduanes were recorded while three others were missing after “Rolly” wreaked havoc in the region. Three residents of Guinobatan were declared missing.
On top of these, 94,492 families or 344,455 individuals were reportedly packed in evacuation centers, making the practice of social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 a challenge to the evacuees.
A total of 107,831 families or 390,298 individuals were affected in the Bicol Region as of 6:00 p.m. of Nov. 1.
“Nakikiramay po ako sa mga pamilyang naulila ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, nawasak ang mga tahanan at napilitang lumikas sa kanilang komunidad. Napakalaking pagsubok nga po nito, lalo pa't humaharap pa rin tayo sa krisis na dulot ng pandemya, (My sympathy goes out to the families who lost their loved ones, whose homes were destroyed, and families whowere forced to flee their communities. This is a very hugechallenge especially since we are still facing a crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic),” De Lima said in a statement.
“Nananawagan ako sa ating lokal at pambansang pamahalaan na siguruhin ang mabilisang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga nasalanta nating kababayan, at tiyakin ang maayos na mga pasilidad sa evacuation centers upang maiwasan ang sakit at matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan (I’m calling on our local and national government to ensure that they will receive assistance fast and make sure that their needs are metand the facilities in evacuation areas are clean and in goodcondition to prevent the outbreak of any diseases),” sheappealed.
De Lima also urged Congress to expedite the passage of Senate Bill No. 1284 which seeks to provide a 15-day paid leave from work for disaster response volunteers to allow them to participate in specialized disaster-related operations for government-led and government-accredited institutions.
She also urged lawmakers to pass SB No. 1123 which seeks to provide a five-day special emergency leave with pay for all workers in the public and private sectors directly affected by natural calamities or disasters in the country.
De Lima, a vocal critic of the Duterte administration, also said it is disappointing to note that President Duterte was nowhere in sight as the whole country prepares for the onslaught of super typhoon “Rolly.”