President Duterte has assured local chief executives in Cebu that all state resources and assets will be tapped in the province's relief and rehabilitation efforts during the aftermath of typhoon "Odette".
“When I came here, I also called for a meeting with all the generals of the Army, Navy, Police, and the Air Force,” Duterte said during a meeting with local officials in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City Thursday, Dec. 23.
“I told them to utilize all government resources to meet the challenges brought by the problem that we are facing now. It’s a big problem. So they came here and I gave my directives," the President said, referring to the effects of Odette.
Regarding a particular concern on the need for a seacraft to reach survivors, the 76-year-old leader said he would convey the message to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Duterte said he instructed the PCG to bring all its small ships in Cebu so that the vessels can be used for the distribution of relief goods especially in areas that cannot be accessed by land vehicles.
Responding to the reported oil spill in Lapu-Lapu City, the Chief Executive said he will report the matter to Department of Environment and Natural Resourced (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, noting that the agency possesses the equipment needed to contain and clean up the oil spill.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan told the President that the PCG has already located the oil spill, and that its personnel were working from a passenger ship.
Chan reported that 42 ships ran aground in mainland Lapu-Lapu City during the onslaught of the typhoon, and the vessels haven’t been pulled out. Two other ships had completely capsized and are causing the oil spill.
One of the ships sunk in Punta Engaño, a popular tourist spot in Lapu-Lapu City, the mayor said. He feared that this could affect people’s livelihood.
Also during his meeting with Cebu officials, President Duterte said the National Housing Authority (NHA) will provide P100 million worth of housing materials to each province affected by Odette.
“The will give 100 million per province and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will supervise it to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The military and the police will be there to maintain peace and order," he said.