Vice President Leni Robredo bared her plan to build safe houses for families displaced by typhoon Odette in Dinagat Islands when she went back to the province Tuesday, Dec. 28 to bring food relief.
Robredo said she discussed the plan with Dinagat Governor Arlene "Kaka" Bag-ao during her visit.
She said she will work with the local government of Dinagat Islands in building permanent and safe houses for households residing in danger zones and coastal areas, replicating her office's housing projects in Bicol and Marawi.
"So ito yung pag-uusapan natin. Inuna lang natin yung pagkain kasi nung pagpunta ko dito nung Sunday, marami akong mga taong kausap dun sa may evacuation center malapit sa capitol. Yung– yung nirereklamo nila kulang na ng pagkain. So, ang inuna namin na ipadala mga pagkain. Pero yung next phase nito, yung pabahay na (So, we will discuss about this. We just prioritized the food because when I was here last Sunday, I talked with the victims at the evacuation center near the capitol. They said they were already running out of food supply. So, we prioritized sending food but the next phase will be the housing project)," Robredo said.
This was Robredo's second visit in the province in over a week. This time, she went back to reassess further assistance they can provide in areas they were not able to reach during last week's visit.
"Ito pangalawang punta ko. Nandito na ko nung Linggo kaya lang pagpunta ko ng Linggo marami pang mga daan yung hindi pa nadadaanan so hindi ako nakaikot. Ngayon ay tiningnan natin yung sa operations center, inalam pa natin kung ano yung mga pwede pang iba tulong (This is my second visit here. I was here last Sunday (Dec. 19) but I wasn't able to go around because of road closures. Now, I was able to visit the operations center to check what assistance we can further provide)," Robredo said.
The Vice President said they brought food for the typhoon victims in the province, however, the bulk of the goods intended for communities there were still in transit via Navy, Coast Guard, and private boats in Surigao City.
She said they are expecting around seven shipments of food packs to arrive either today (Dec. 28) or tomorrow (Dec. 29).
The aspiring president also told the typhoon victims that they are not being neglected and thanked the volunteers for continuously offering their services amid the difficult times.
"Maraming nag-aalala kung ano na ang nangyari sa Dinagat, kasi problema wala kayong signal. So, ang hirap, ang hirap talaga mag-coordinate. 'Pag nagka-signal lang sana mas maayos yung coordination, ‘yung mga kailangan matutugunan kaagad (Many are worried about Dinagat, the only problem is the absence of signal. So, it's really hard to coordinate. When the line of communication is restored, I hope we can better coordinate and respond immediately to those in need)," she said.
She further said that another purpose of her visit is to show the typhoon victims that "they are not alone" in this trying times and "they will not be left behind."
She further vowed that "despite the limited resources," she will ensure that assistance will arrive in the province.
"So, so syempre yung wish natin na mapabilis yung rehab efforts natin kasi yun naman yung pinaka-importante, ‘di ba. Ang pinakaimportante na kumakain yung mga tao, na ligtas sa sakit, tapos may bubong na titirhan. So, sisiguraduhin natin na kahit limited yung ating resources, sisiguraduhin natin na ma-channel din dito, na ito yung mahirap puntahan eh. Hindi gaya ng iba na may mga airports, ito talaga sobrang hirap puntahan (So we are wishing for swift rehabilitation efforts because that's the most important, right. People should have food to eat, safe from diseases, and have shelter. So, we will make sure that despite the limited resources, we will be able to channel them here because your place is not easy to reach. Unlike others that have airports)," Robredo said.
READ MORE: Robredo calls for help for Dinagat Islands: 'They're now running out of food, water'