Masbate to get P100-M typhoon aid

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P100 million in Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the province of Masbate for rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Bualoi (Opong) devastated the area.

“I also gave instructions, upon the request of Governor [Richard T.] Kho, for the DBM to release P100 million from the LGSF before I left Manila, so that you will have immediate funds for rehabilitation,” he said in Filipino during the distribution of assistance to typhoon-affected families in Masbate, according to a transcript from his office.

In a separate statement, the DBM announced it released P100-million rehabilitation fund to Masbate residents struck by multiple storms.   

“The process is now underway to expedite the release of funds for the urgent recovery of the province severely hit by three consecutive typhoons, where the President himself witnessed the situation of over 6,000 families — or 25,565 individuals — currently staying in evacuation centers,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

The P100-million fund is expected to be allocated for food, shelter, medicine, and other essential needs of families whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed.

The Department of Labor and Employment has also disbursed P28 million through its emergency employment and livelihood programs, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed food packs and hygiene kits.

Families in evacuation centers also received P10,000 in cash aid.

The provincial government on Tuesday reported 18 deaths following Opong, while infrastructure damage reached P31.4 million, according to Mr. Kho. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Aubrey Rose A. Inosante