Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of PHP760 million in financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi), Malaca±ang announced Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the funds from the Office of the President will help LGUs accelerate recovery and deliver immediate support to affected families. Under the distribution plan, Cebu, Capiz, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo, Bohol, and Negros Occidental will each receive PHP50 million. Cebu was among the hardest hit, accounting for 71 of the 114 confirmed fatalities and reporting widespread flooding across several towns and cities.
Additionally, Eastern Samar, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, Antique, and Aklan will each receive PHP40 million; Leyte and Masbate, PHP30 million each; and Guimaras, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands, PHP20 million each. Meanwhile, Biliran, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, and Palawan will each get PHP10 million while Albay, Romblon, Batangas, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Quezon Province, Samar, Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Zamboanga City, Manila, Camiguin, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Iligan City will each receive PHP5 million.
The President had earlier declared a state of national calamity following Tino’s devastation and in anticipation of Tropical Storm Fung-wong, which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as a typhoon and will be given the local name Uwan over the weekend. It may intensify into a super typhoon.
Marcos noted that the declaration, based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), will enable faster access to calamity funds, impose price controls on essential goods, and streamline procurement and relief operations. Castro emphasized that the President’s directive ensures that government aid reaches even the most remote communities.
‘Binibigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na hindi bibitiw at hindi iiwanan ng pamahalaan ang Cebu hangga’t lahat ay nakabangon (President Marcos Jr. emphasizes that the government will not let go and will not leave Cebu until everyone has recovered),’ she said. She also noted that first responders and pre-positioned supplies have already been deployed across Northern Luzon in preparation for Uwan’s potential landfall early next week.
‘Kasabay nito, binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang kahandaan ng pamahalaan para sa inaasahang super typhoon Uwan (At the same time, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the government’s preparedness for the expected super typhoon Uwan),’ Castro added.
