MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, October 4, ordered all concerned government agencies to work together for the immediate rebuilding and rehabilitation of all houses damaged by Typhoon Julian in Batanes.
“Right now, nag-uwian na ang mga tao. But ang kailangan nila is to rebuild kahit papaano,” President Marcos said in a situation briefing in Batanes, a few days after Typhoon Julian hit the province that left thousands of houses damaged.
President Marcos visited Batanes to extend over PhP38 million in financial assistance to the victims.
The Provincial Government of Batanes said 172 families, or 2,864 individuals were evacuated during the onslaught of Typhoon Julian and left 276 houses totally damaged and 2,048 others partially damaged.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Undersecretary Randy Escolango told President Marcos they are ready to extend PhP30,000 in financial assistance to families whose houses were totally damaged, while PhP10,000 each for those with partially damaged shelters.
For his part, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said they are making available the largest utility vessel of the Philippine Navy (PN) for deployment, along with one C130 unit “to continuously shuttle materials and potable water” to affected residents in Batanes.
The President assured the Provincial Government of Batanes that the national government will exhaust all measures available to ensure the swift rebuilding of damaged houses. (PND)
