QUEZON CITY — In response to the urgent needs of areas affected by Super Typhoon Leon, particularly the Batanes Islands, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has expressed its readiness to provide necessary aid.
In an interview on PTV 4 this morning, DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe said, “Around 5,500 family food packs are now en route to Batanes aboard a vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard.” However, she noted that the vessel is currently stuck in Pangasinan amid the onslaught of Leon.
“We will coordinate with the Office of Civil Defense because once the skies become clear, we might request for a C130 aircraft for faster transportation of the goods,” Cajipe said in Filipino.
Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), reiterated that they have enough manpower and land assets available and ready for immediate deployment. “We also have around 120 sea assets and 40 air assets on top of the multilateral engagements that we have,” Padilla said.
Currently, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia have sent their aircraft to help in search, rescue, and relief distribution efforts. Padilla highlighted the courage and dedication of uniformed personnel who are on the front lines of disaster response. “We thank the members of the AFP and acknowledge their heroism and sacrifice,” Padilla said.
She urged the public not to panic amid successive calamities and instead relay to the department the assistance needed so they could transport relief for those in need as soon as possible.
For her part, Director Lorna Calda of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said there is enough rice supply at the moment, upon coordination with the National Food Authority. She also reminded farmers and fisherfolk of loans and other assistance they may avail themselves of, such as the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program, crop insurance, and Agri Puhunan. “We also have livelihood programs that can help,” she added.
As of yesterday, agricultural damage and losses due to Kristine have reached ₱3.76 billion, and this figure is expected to continue rising as the agriculture department’s assessment continues, according to Calda.
Meanwhile, Calda sought to allay fears about a possible increase in food prices. “The DA is strictly monitoring the situation, and no price increases should be implemented in areas under a state of calamity,” she added. “The DA is ready to assist. Let us help one another to rise from these calamities.” (OCD)
