Marcos OKs P265-million aid for victims of Davao floods, landslides

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a fund amounting to P265 million to assist those affected by the floods and landslides that hit Davao region. 

Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao for weeks, displacing more than 795,000 people in the region and causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. 

The P265 million released by the president adds to the emergency cash transfer already assisting those affected by the floods and landslides, according to Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 

“It gets to the point that people need more than just food, they need to buy other things for their household. That’s why I released the P265 million to make sure that phase of response is immediate, and people will have something to use for their needs immediately,” Marcos said in Filipino Wednesday. 

Broken down, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur and Davao de Oro will each receive P30 million, while Surigao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur will each be allocated P25 million. 

Davao City, Butuan City and Davao Occidental will each get P20 million, while Agusan del Norte is allotted P15 million. Cotabato and Bukidnon will each receive P10 million.

At least 18 people died from landslides and flooding in the southern Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its latest update Wednesday morning.