President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to download ₱100 million worth of Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) for the rehabilitation in Masbate.
“Nag instruct na ako sa DBM bago ako umalis ng Maynila na mag download ng ₱100 million na LGSF para mayroon kayong immediate na magamit na para sa rehabilitation. Huwag po kayo mag alala, patuloy po ang suporta ng pamahalaan hangga’t nangangailangan kayo,” Marcos announced during the distribution of assistance to the typhoon-affected families of Masbate on Wednesday, October 1.
Besides this, Marcos also announced that the government has allotted several assistance to individuals in the said province, including the distribution of family food packs and hygiene kits.
“Kahit na matagalan tayo ng konti dahil hindi niyo pa naaayos ang inyong mga tahanan, naka support na kami. Kahit na umalis na kayo sa evacuation center, pero hindi na kayo makauwi sa inyong mga tahanan ay tuluyan pa rin magsu-supply kami nitong family food pack,” he said.
The President also turned over the “Love for All” water purification system from First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. A food truck was also brought into the said area so that residents can enjoy home-cooked food other than the canned goods inside the food packs.
“Bukod pa roon, mayroon tyaong cash assistance, dahil ang bawat pamilya ang iba iba ang pangangailangan. Kaya’t hindi naman basta’t ito lang ang ating ibibigay. Siguro ‘yung mga gamot ninyo, ‘yung bibilhin niyong pagkain ng bata…hindi lahat ng pamilya nangangailangan niyan kaya’t magbibigay kami ng cash assistance,” he said.
These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), where 600 families would get ₱10,000 each, and two checks totaling over 34.8 million from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V to the Provincial Government of Masbate for Livelihood Assistance and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) for 6,455 beneficiaries in 11 municipalities.
Aside from this, two Starlink units were also turned over to Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City.
“Konting tiyaga lang po. Ang mahirap dito, wala talaga tayong magawa sa panahon. Kung babagyo, babagyo…ang maaari na lang nating gawin ay paghandaan, [at] makapag evacuate. Mukha namang nagawa natin [dahil] naka-preemptive evacuation ang probinsya. Pero medyo minalas ang Masbate. Pagtama ng Opong, talagang sapul, talagang pinaka malakas na tama [ng bagyo],” Marcos said.
