Batangas: First Lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta Marcos condoled with families of those who died during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in Talisay, Batangas on Sunday. The First Lady joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development in distributing aid to families through her program Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat (LAB for ALL).
According to Philippines News Agency, families of 61 individuals who perished from the landslides and flooding caused by Kristine benefitted from First Lady’s program. The initiative was supported by a private group, DigiPlus Interactive, which provided food and non-food items to those who lost loved ones in Talisay, Batangas. Each family received a sack of 25-kilo rice, 6.6-liter water, a medical kit, Nanay’s kit, large and medium grocery boxes, and family food packs.
Mrs. Marcos was accompanied by DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Diana Rose Cajipe, Assistant Secretary for Region
al Operations Paul Ledesma, and DSWD-Calabarzon Regional Director Barry Chua. Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, and Talisay Mayor Nestor Natanauan also joined the activity.
Meanwhile, the DSWD stated that the government will continue to assist citizens affected by recent calamities until their full recovery. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized in his message, delivered by Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez, that the government is committed to helping people regain normalcy in their lives.
The agency underscored the essential collaboration between the national government, local government units, and the private sector, notably DigiPlus Interactive, in providing aid to the bereaved families. DigiPlus Interactive, led by chairperson Eusebio Tangco, announced that the group will also offer cash assistance to grieving families to help with burial expenses and rebuilding damaged homes.
Each of the bereaved families had already received PHP10,000 in buria
l assistance from the DSWD during the visit of President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian on Nov. 4.
