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Surigao del Sur governor seeks Duterte's help: 'We need equipment for road repairs'

Philippines | National

Surigao del Sur governor seeks Duterte's help: 'We need equipment for road repairs'

By Raymund Antonio

Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel sought the help of the national government for the rehabilitation of barangay roads damaged by past typhoons.

(UNSPLASH / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a pre-recorded situation briefing in Tandag City aired Tuesday night, Pimentel made his request directly to President Duterte who presided the meeting.

“Ang immediate needs ko po lalong-lalo na ngayon hindi pa kami tapos mag-rehabilitate ng mga barangay roads ‘yong na- damage niyang Typhoon Vicky (Our immediate needs especially now is we are not done yet in the rehabilitation of village roads damaged by Typhoon Vicky),” he said.

The governor noted that some roads in 200 barangays remain impassable at this time, so he asked for equipment to conduct the repairs.

“We have insufficient equipment,” Pimentel, speaking in Filipino, told Duterte. He cited they were not able to provide for their 17 municipalities and two cities.

“We have five teams. But once they arrive in a municipality, it takes them months because they have to repair everything,” he added.

The President responded by asking Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado if there are funds for the purchase of additional equipment needed by the province.

Duterte then turned his attention to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official who was present in the meeting.

“So hindi naman masyadong mahirap talaga ang gobyerno (So the government is not really that poor),” he said. “At saka kung may pera (And if there is money), I can buy one, two. Hindi naman masyadong mahal ‘yan (That’s not too expensive. It would not make us poor).”

The DPWH in Caraga region has pledged assistance to local officials in their rehabilitation efforts.

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