Mas maraming pondo mula ‘22 budget ang magamit para sa ‘Odette’ rehab, utos ng pamahalaan

NAIS ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na mas maraming pondo mula sa panukalang national budget para sa 2022 ang magamit para sa “response and recovery efforts” sa mga lugar na hinagupit ni bagyong Odette.

Binanggit ng Pangulo ang hangarin niyang ito nang personal niyang bisitahin ang mga typhoon-affected areas sa Cebu at Bohol, araw ng Linggo.

“President Duterte underscored that while the effects of the typhoon are devastating even as the country continues its battle against Covid-19, the government must help because people need help. He then committed that the national government will urgently provide for the needs of typhoon-hit areas and their residents, which include rice and water, construction materials for the rebuilding of damaged houses, and housing assistance, with topmost priority given to the poor,” ayon kay Acting Presidential Spokesperson at Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

“The President likewise conveyed that with the new budget for 2022, more funds can be utilized for response and recovery efforts,” dagdag na pahayag nito.

Unang binisita ng Pangulo ang munisipalidad ng Argao sa Cebu, kung saan ay inatasan nito si Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario na magbigay ng housing assistance sa mga residente kung saan ang mga bahay ay winasak ng nasabing bagyo.

Gayundin, inatasan ng Pangulo si Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi na tawagan ng pansin ang pribadong sektor na tulungan at hikayatin ang mga gas stations na magbukas at mag-operate.

“The DOE is working double-time to restore energy in Cebu. Currently, electricity has been restored in some parts of Cebu for utilities such as hospitals, among others,” ayon kay Nograles.

Naglaan naman ang Department of Agriculture, ng P 445.1-M para tulungan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa rehiyon na labis na naapektuhan dahil sa pinsalang dulot ng bagyong Odette.

Sa kabilang dako, binisita rin ng Pangulo ang lalawigan ng Bohol kung saan nakipag-usap siya siya sa mga local government officials at evacuees.

Inulit ng Chief Executive na ang malaking bahagi ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council fund ay nagamit para sa Covid-19 response ng gobyerno kabilang na ang quarantine expenses para sa mga returning overseas Filipino workers.

Samantala, hinikayat naman ni Nograles ang publiko na publiko na maghawak-kamay para tulungan ang komunidad na niragasa ng bagyong Odette.

“As we continue to fully assess the damage brought by typhoon Odette to our people’s livelihood and property and the local economy, let us remain united in the midst of adversity to help one another and exemplify the Filipino bayanihan spirit,” anito. (Bishop Jesus “Jemba” M. Basco)