Continuing his visit to areas devastated by Tropical Depression Agaton, President Duterte on Black Saturday checked the condition of evacuees in Pontevedra, Capiz, and led the ceremonial distribution of relief goods and assistance there.
In his remarks at the Pontevedra Elementary School Evacuation Center, Duterte said anew that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would provide food for those affected by the devastating typhoon.
“Si DSWD (Secretary Rolando Bautista) will be here for as long as there are people who cannot eat o wala silang makain, walang makunan (or do not have anything, or cannot find something to eat), we will sustain the food," he said on April 16.
"For as long --- kung sabihin ninyo sampung taon, eh ‘di sampung taon dito si Bautista magtira at --- basta’t ang pagkain nandiyan (if you say 10 years, then Secretary Bautista will live here for 10 years. But the food is here),” he added.
The President also told Capiz residents that the government would help them rebuild their homes damaged by the disaster.
“I will tell him (Housing Secretary Ed Del Rosario). Sabihin ko sa kanya magpunta dito. Sa ano naman, sa daan ninyo, sa repair, nandiyan si Acting Secretary Mercado. Siya ‘yung DPWH (I'll tell him to come here. For the road repairs, Acting Secretary Roger Mercado of the Department of Public Works and Highways is here)," Duterte said.
His government, he said, can always extend assistance through the release of contingency funds.
“At least okay na man, tapos na ang ano. Pero ang importante ‘yung... Pero pag-uwi ko sa Maynila tignan ko kung may maitulong ako sa inyo (At least everything is okay now. But what's important is... When I get back to Manila, I'll see if I can help you more),” Duterte said.
After visiting Leyte on Friday, President Duterte flew to Western Visayas this weekend and conducted an aerial inspection to assess the damage of the weather disturbance in Pontevedra, Capiz.
The President also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Capiz Multi-Purpose Evacuation and Convention Center-Phase 1 during his visit to Bgy. Lawaan in Roxas City.