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| President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes relief goods to families displaced by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Hainan) at the evacuation center during his visit to the Roxas City to personally assess the extent of the damage in the area on Sunday (November 10). Typhoon Yolanda is the world's most powerful typhoon in 2013. (Photo by:Ryan Lim / Malacanang Photo Bureau) |
Interviewed in Tacloban City, the President said the government is also working to allay fears that there may not be enough food and water.
“I believe so,” he said when asked if he believes the situation is under control amid reports of looting.
The President said the challenge is to show the people here that “they don’t have to be desperate, it’s coming, if it’s not already on the way.”
“Because they don’t have TV, radio or newspapers to be able to disseminate the information, hence the anxiety persists. So that is a new challenge for us,” he said.
In the meantime, the President stressed that food packs, water purification facilities and other relief goods are on the way or have arrived in Tacloban City.
The President also reiterated the government’s priority is to take care of the survivors and those who are injured.
He also said the local government units have designated areas for mass burials as the remains of the fatalities may pose a public health hazard.
The President likewise said that members of the international community had signified their intention to help.
“All the help that will come in will undoubtedly ease the burden of our people,” he said. PND (jl)
DSWD has resources for relief operations in Eastern Visayas
ROXAS CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development said that it was able to disbursed P2.6 million as of Sunday for food assistance to the different provinces in Eastern Visayas.
In its report to President Benigno S. Aquino III the DSWD said that it distributed a total of 11,297 family packs specifically in Capiz. DSWD regional office gave 2,510 family packs or a total of 655,110.
More goods from regional offices are coming, the DSWD told the President in a briefing in Roxas City. The President arrived in Roxas City Sunday to assess typhoon damages and coordinate relief efforts.
The DSWD regional offices in Region 6 have 24-hour service, repacking goods 24-hours a day. It also assured the President that it has enough funds after the central office provided P15 million.
With regards to the medical conditions of the typhoon victims, the Department of Health reported a total of 307 injured persons.
In the briefing with the President, health officials asked for more supply of medicines for Capiz.
The President asked for a list of medicines needed and told officials that the DOH central office will provide the supplies needed.
To restore power supply, the President ordered local power distributors to coordinate with other electric cooperatives and with the military to bring back the supply of electricity
The Capiz Electric Cooperative said 90 percent of its distribution system was damaged by Typhoon Yolanda. In two to three days, Capelco told the President that it could energize the city proper of Roxas City.
For the remaining barangays outside Roxas City electricity will be finished within 30 days and of the 16 municipalities, it will be finished in three months. PND (as)
President Aquino says national government temporarily takes over LGU in Leyte to strengthen relief efforts
TACLOBAN, Leyte - The national government temporarily takes over local government works in Leyte to process data from the ground and property determine the needs of the people so the government could send necessary assistance, President Benigno S. Aquino III said during his visit to here on Sunday.
The issue is the availability of the data from the ground, the President said in an interview in Tacloban airport. He added that this kind of information is needed in order for the government to match the resources needed.
The local government couldn’t function well because the personnel, especially the first responders, were also affected by the typhoon and failed to report to work, the President said.
Aside from ensuring the local government is running, the President said he ordered additional police and military forces for Tacloban to restore order after receiving reports of looting. He said armored personnel carriers will arrive in Tacloban to help enforce the law.
President Aquino arrived in Tacloban Sunday morning to personally assess the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda this week. After arriving around 10:30 a.m. he inspected the heavily damaged passenger terminal of the Tacloban airport.
After that the President had an aerial inspection of Leyte followed by briefing national and local officials.
Accompanying the President were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. PND (as)
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