MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed assurance to help victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng get back on their feet, saying the government has stepped up efforts to mitigate the effects of flooding in areas hit by the storm.
The President made this remark as he led the distribution of financial aid to the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) program in Cavite following the onslaught of Paeng.
“Dahil alam na alam ko naman na pagkaganito, lahat ng na-evacuate ay talagang gustong bumalik kaagad. At tinitiyak na lang natin na hindi naman magiging delikado ang pagbalik sa inyong mga tahanan, sa inyong mga negosyo… titiyakin namin na hangga’t nandito kayo, yung mga evacuees ay nasa evacuation center ay titiyakin natin na meron kayong sapat na sa inyong pangangailangan hangga’t makabalik na kayo sa inyong mga lugar,” said the chief executive.
The President said he eyes a long-term solution to the flooding problem in Cavite, one of the hardest hit by Paeng when it battered the country over the weekend.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng plano na long term para kahit na lumakas ang tubig ng husto ay hindi na guguho yung lupa at hindi na tayo inaabutan ng mga landslide, na ‘yun ang mga nagiging problema,” said the President.
Marcos arrived at Barangay San Jose II in Noveleta to hand over assistance to families and individuals affected by the weather disturbance that affected several regions in the country last Saturday.
After the distribution, the President also presided over a situation briefing of all National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and local government officials.
The Municipality of Noveleta, along with Kawit, is one of the hardest-hit areas in Cavite as severe rains from the uplands caused heavy flooding leading to the destruction of a river wall near the Ylang-Ylang River.
Around 18,000 families have been evacuated in Cavite, according to authorities.
Currently, at least P50 million worth of relief goods are being distributed to the victims of the natural calamity.
With a diameter of over 1,100 kilometers, Tropical Storm Paeng made a series of landfall across different regions in the country and brought severe flooding, particularly in Mindanao.
Other officials who joined the President during the distribution of cash assistance and situation briefing include Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo. (OPS)
