President Duterte has committed an additional P10 billion to assist the provinces that felt the wrath of typhoon "Odette" over the weekend.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles confirmed this in a statement Tuesday, Dec. 21, after the President had a better grasp of the devastation caused by the typhoon to areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.
"President Duterte also vowed to raise additional funds, estimated at P10 billion, for the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the typhoon-affected areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by this natural calamity," Nograles said.
The Chief Executive had earlier committed P2 billion for Odette-stricken provinces, but this was made Saturday or early in his inspection tour of the affected areas. Duterte earlier visited Bohol and Cebu where he discussed rehabilitation efforts with local officials and touched based with typhoon victims.
The same statement from Nograles revealed that Duterte, together with Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and other government officials, visited the victims of typhoon Odette in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Monday.
"The President was given a situation briefing by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose 'Bong' Lacson, after which the President provided guidance and issued several directives to national agencies to address the immediate concerns of the local governments of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental," Nograles said.
"First, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continuously provide family food packs and water and shelter assistance for families with damaged houses," he noted.
Nograles said the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) were told by the President to provide housing assistance to victims whose homes were partially and totally damaged.
On the other hand, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will look into and will monitor reports of price hikes, including generators, which are reportedly being sold at twice their usual prices.
As per Duterte's orders, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide agricultural assistance for affected farmers and fisherfolk.
"Fifth, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will clear uprooted trees along the roads and highways and to turn over these logs to the local government units for use as housing construction materials, as well as provide the needed support for river dredging as soon as funds are available," Nograles said.
Duterte also told the Department of Energy (DOE) to work double time to restore power supply in affected areas as soon as possible. And last, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will likewise work hard to restore telecommunication networks and internet connectivity in affected regions.
"In addition to these directives, the Chief Executive gave instructions to immediately complete the construction of the Kabankalan airstrip," Nograles said.