House pledges support to provinces battered by Pepito

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, yesterday vowed to extend help to victims of Super Typhoon Pepito, organizing a relief caravan bound for the Bicol region.

“We’re just awaiting reports from our fellow House members whose districts have been affected by the cyclone, and how much had been the damage to their areas so that we can immediately send funds needed for victims to recover from their affected livelihoods,” he said.

The House leader said the funds will be given directly to typhoon victims whose houses have been destroyed by the disaster, for them to be able to rebuild their homes, along with financial assistance needed for their daily food subsistence.

It is expected that by today, congressional members whose districts were affected by Pepito would submit their requests for financial assistance for their own constituents.

President Marcos, the Speaker and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian have launched the “Tabang Bikol, Tindog Oragon” relief initiative, rolling out nearly P750 million to provide assistance and 24 truckloads of relief goods to over 150,000 beneficiaries across the Bicol region.

The program, with Romualdez as the main proponent, aims to support communities in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay as they recover from the devastation caused by the series of natural disasters, from typhoons Carina and Kristine to Pepito.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, whose district has just been heavily damaged by severe flooding brought about by Kristine, backs Marcos’ view on recent severe storms as a “test case for loss, damage funds for high-risk countries.”

“President Marcos is spot on in wanting to use the unprecedented devastation wrought by six cyclones this October to November period alone as ‘baseline’ for what climate-vulnerable nations have been enduring – and will be enduring in the future – plus the immense resources they need to access right away for their recovery from the disasters and preparations for future calamities,” he said.