MANILA -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and other government officials, yesterday visited the victims of Typhoon Odette in Dinagat Islands.

The President met with the evacuees and local officials of the area, where he vowed to provide the necessary means to speed up clearing operations and help residents reconstruct their homes.

The President likewise gave the following directives:

First, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide financial assistance to the families affected by Typhoon Odette.

Second, the Department of the Interior and Local Government will monitor and supervise the distribution of the aforesaid financial assistance.

Third, the DSWD will continuously provide family food packs to the typhoon victims.

Fourth, the National Housing Authority will provide housing assistance worth P100-M to typhoon victims in Dinagat Islands whose houses were partially and totally damaged.

And fifth, the Department of Energy will ensure the delivery of gasoline and other petroleum products to the Dinagat Islands.

We again thank all generous allies in the international community, development partners, organizations, families, and individuals for the outpouring of support and compassion to our people. We also assure our kababayans that your government continues to work double time in its relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts to aid displaced families in hard-hit areas as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the most devastating typhoon to hit our country this year. (OPS)