Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the government is performing its duty and functions to provide the immediate needs of families and individuals badly hit by Typhoon Odette in the Caraga Region.
Go, together with President Rodrigo Duterte, visited Surigao City last Saturday to get an onsite assessment on the extent of the damages brought by “Odette” in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
They were met by the top officials in the area led by Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas and Dinagat Islands Gov. Arlene Bag-ao.
The President also convened top officials of the province in a meeting set in Surigao City Saturday afternoon.
“The government, that truly cares and is ready to perform its responsibilities to protect the lives of every Filipino, is here,” Go said in a statement Monday.
As an immediate response, Go said the President has already instructed some key government agencies to expedite the delivery of immediate needs of affected residents in the areas of Surigao City, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Island.
“These agencies were instructed to utilize their quick response funds for housing assistance; aid for fishermen whose boats were damaged; agricultural machinery for farmers; repair for damaged infrastructures such as buildings, bridges, roads, airports, and seaports; the provision of community tents as temporary evacuation centers; food, water, and medicines; and the food-for-work and cash-for-work programs,” Go said.
Other agencies such as the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, the Army, and the Air Force were also instructed to assist in the continuing rescue and recovery operations, he added.
“These agencies were also ordered by the President to ensure the delivery of food and relief goods for the affected residents in Siargao, Dinagat Islands, and the other affected areas in Caraga Region,” Go said.
The President, he pointed out, will also work for additional funds of agencies tasked to respond during calamities and for the local government units in Caraga.
“The President wants to fast-track all the efforts to restore the damaged communities, respond to the immediate needs of the affected to bring back normalcy as soon as possible,” Go said.
The senator is also thankful that many lives were spared as a result of the unified efforts between the government and the people during the preparations before “Odette” made landfall in Siargao Island last week.
“We can again build our ruined properties, what matters most is the lives of the people. We extend our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the tragedy,” Go said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
