BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Negros Occidental yesterday afternoon and immediately visited the typhoon-hit Kabankalan City.
He held a meeting with local leaders to discuss recovery plans.
Duterte was accompanied by several key officials from various government agencies such as Secretary Francisco Duque of the Department of Health (DOH) and Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs Goddes Hope Libiran of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Yesterday, a “state of calamity” was declared in Negros Occidental. Super typhoon “Odette” caused almost P6 billion in damages, and claimed the lives of at least 34 people.
Duterte has been inspecting typhoon-hit areas since Saturday. Prior to visiting Negros Occidental, he was in Bohol on Sunday. He vowed to look for another P2 billion on top of the initialP2 billion he earlier committed for provinces ravaged by “Odette”.
He also appealed for patience anew, noting that the government’s funds were “depleted” after being spent on coronavirus disease 201 9 (COVID-19) response efforts.
“You know, we don’t have money left. I’m not saying this so that government won’t have to do anything anymore, but to be totally honest, when the COVID pandemic first started, there has been no spending limit. I’ve racked up huge debts in hotels, both the cheap and expensive ones because when our overseas Filipino workers go home, we put them in quarantine first. They are quarantined in hotels so I’ve racked up massive debts per our calculation,” he added.
Despite this, he said more funds from the proposed national budget for 2022 may be used for relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by the typhoon.
“There is money but we can’t spend it yet because the budget hasn’t been prepared for next year. But next year — it’s near now — we can spend the money and we can help you re — maybe buy materials to rebuild the houses,” he said.
He urged those displaced by the typhoon to wait for their turn, noting that the government is prioritizing hardest-hit communities first.
“We’ll prioritize those who were really left with nothing. Just don’t be selfish, just wait for your turn. We will have to help first those who have nothing right now. But for those whose houses are still intact and just need some repairs, you’ll be next to receive help,” he added. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
