The province of Maguindanao was all over the news last week after feeling the wrath of severe tropical storm (STS) "Paeng". And none suffered more than Barangay Kusiong in the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat.
That's why House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan felt compelled to touch base with the officials of the ravaged town to find out how he could help the people there.
Libanan wrote a Facebook post about his visit on Sunday night, Nov. 6. His post came with several pictures that showed the extent of the damage at the location.
"Marami ang nadaanan naming lubog sa putikan sanhi ng landslide. Mayroon ding mga nagbagsakang puno at mga nasirang bahay (We passed by a lot of areas that were submerged in mud as a result of the landslide. There were also uprooted trees and destroyed homes)," he wrote.
"Hindi lamang po pagbaha ang dinulot ng Bagyong Paeng kundi pati na rin ang pagguho ng lupa. 28 katao po ang nasawi sa Baranggay na ito at tatlo pa ang nawawala (STS Paeng didn't only cause floods, it also triggered landslides. In this barangay, 28 people died and another three remain missing)," noted the veteran solon.
"Minabuti po naming mapuntahan ang lugar ng personal kasama si Kapitan Jaffar Sinsuat upang agarang makapag-abot ng tulong para sa patuloy na pagbangon ng mga naapektuhan nito (We deemed it necessary to personally visit this place along with Captain Jaffar Sinsuatto in order to deliver aid quickly and help those affected get back on their feet)," added Libanan.
Incidentally, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said last week that the 311-stong lower chamber would be responsive to the needs of concerned departments in relation to the calamity when it comes to finalizing the proposed 2023 national budget.