The national government continues to pour aid and all forms of assistance in Bicol Region, especially in the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines Sur, for faster recovery from the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.
During a situation briefing on Tuesday in Tiwi, Albay, Cabinet secretaries and some of their representatives reported to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the aid and interventions provided to the provinces.
Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said one of the priorities in the recovery of Albay is the repair of more than 20,000 houses damaged –about 1,000 were destroyed.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for the Disaster Response Management Group, Diana Rose Cajipe reported that more than 259,567 family food packs were provided to the six provinces and one component city.
She said 5,542 non-food items were released and 1,260 ready-to-eat foods were distributed.
“For the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT), we are just waiting for the final listing so that we can implement ECT here,” she said.
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency is doing its best to restore power supply.
Members of Task Force Kapatid or various electric cooperatives are now in Albay and Catanduanes to assist in the fixing of power lines and posts.
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon assured that the repair of typhoon-damaged infrastructure would be expedited.
“Based on the directive of our president, we will do everything that needs to be done quickly so that Bicol can recover quickly. Our priority is our classrooms, bridges, and roads here in Bicol,” he said in an interview.
Starting in 2026, Dizon said the budget for the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings would be downloaded to the local government units for faster completion.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Undersecretary Ramon Quintin Claudio Allado said the distribution of construction materials for partially and totally damaged houses is ongoing.
Repair kits are provided to the provinces of Camarines Sur, Naga City, Catanduanes, and Albay, he added.
Department of Information and Communications Technology officer in charge Regional Director June Vincent Manuel Gaudan said the agency provided Starlink satellites in affected provinces.
Gaudan said they are in coordination with different telecommunications companies to ensure the faster restoration of lines.
Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations U-Nichols Manalo said available interventions worth PHP253 million are ready for Albay.
For the Bicol Region, at least 29,000 bags of rice are ready for local government units for relief operations.
“We also have SURE Loan. This is the survival and recovery of almost PHP10 million as well as crop insurance, we have PHP16.9 million,” he said.
Marcos assured the government would provide aid to ensure recovery of the people, livelihood and economy.
“As I always promised to areas that have been hit by calamities is that the national government is here for as long as you need us,” the President said. (PNA)