President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. renewed his call for a whole-of-nation approach to mitigate the effects of climate change in the Philippines.
Successive typhoons continue to hit the country, leaving massive destruction in many parts of the archipelago.
In his speech during the aid distribution in Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, President Marcos said nobody can stop disasters from happening but their effects can be lessened with everyone’s cooperation.
Amid the challenges, President Marcos assured the government’s continued support for typhoon victims.
“Ngunit, maliban dito, kailangan din namin ng inyong kooperasyon at suporta para magtagumpay ang mga hakbang na nakalatag sa inyong komunidad laban sa sakuna,” President Marcos said.
President Marcos said he instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to encourage local government units (LGUs) to use the geohazard maps of the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The maps help in identifying landslide-prone and flood-prone areas, he explained.
“Hinihimok ko rin ang ating mga kababayan na sumunod sa mga babala ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan para sa inyong kaligtasan,” he told 4,500 farmers and fishermen who received cash aid from the President.
“Lalo na po roon sa mga kinakailangang lumikas; batid namin na mahirap maiwan ang inyong bahay, mga pag-aari, ngunit huwag na pong mag-atubili na lumikas kung ito ay sasalba sa inyong buhay,” he added.
The President led the distribution of PhP46.14 million in financial assistance. He gave PhP10,000 each to 4,546 farmers and fisherfolk and their families at the Abada College Gymnasium in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined in distributing PhP683,449.32 in financial assistance.
Of the 4,546 beneficiaries, 415 came from the Municipality of Baco; 41 from Calapan City; 257 from the Municipality of Naujan; 51 from Pola; 115 from Puerto Galera; 45 from San Teodoro; 228 from Socorro; 358 from Victoria; 169 from Bansud; 716 from Bongabong; 672 from Bulalacao; 18 from Gloria; and 1,024 from Mansalay.
At least 242 residents from the Municipality of Pinamalayan also received cash assistance along with 195 others from the Municipality of Roxas.
President Marcos also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the LGUs to ensure the integrity of road networks and other infrastructures in the province.
He said the Philippines is experiencing an unusual volume of rain, resulting to massive inundation despite the flood control projects.
The President ordered the DPWH, DENR, and other concerned agencies to revise the Flood Control Masterplans.
“Sabay-sabay tayo na lumaban at magsumikap para mas maayos ang ating kinabukasan. Sa ating pagtutulungan, alam kong darating ang araw na ang mga hamon na ito ay magiging bahagi ng ating kwento ng tagumpay,” he said.
“Ang ating diwa ng bayanihan ay magsisilbing liwanag na magpapakita ng daan tungo sa pagbangon at kaunlaran—para sa inyong probinsya at para sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,” he added. | PND
