An alliance of Filipino women called on the national government to strengthen and increase its budget for calamity response a day after tropical cyclone Karding ravaged Luzon with torrential rains, severe winds, and other rain-induced hazards.
Noting the damage that Karding brought particularly in Central Luzon, Gabriela called on the administration to provide immediate relief for citizens who have been struck hardest by the cyclone.
“While data on the extent of the damage is still pouring in, much of the destruction has so far been marked across Central Luzon, notably in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Tarlac, where entire stretches of farmers' crops have been decimated. Homes, public clinics, and other communities have likewise been severely damaged or destroyed,” said Gabriela on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
The group likewise called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide compensation for farmers whose plots were affected and are not included in the so-called crop insurance.
“ must write off loan and amortization payments, and the Marcos admin must support long-term rehabilitation efforts for the people’s communities,” it added.
With these demands, the women’s group stressed their call for an increase in the budget for calamity response, urging the Marcos administration to “take seriously” the country’s preparedness against disasters.
Karding exited the Philippine boundary as a typhoon on Monday evening, Sept. 26. The latest damage assessment conducted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that Karding's estimated cost of damage to agriculture has now climbed to P1,525,117.78. The data likewise showed that at least 16,476 families or 60,917 individuals were affected by the cyclone.