Duterte: Government will help Biliran rise again
President Duterte inspects the destruction from Tropical Storm Urduja on an aircraft flying over Biliran yesterday.
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday assured local executives in storm-hit areas of assistance as he ordered agencies to restore normalcy in affected provinces at the soonest time.
Duterte went to Biliran province to inspect some of the places devastated by Tropical Storm Urduja and meet with local officials to determine their needs.
During the meeting, the President said he was “quite satisfied” with the relief efforts but appealed to residents for understanding as the government tries to address their concerns.
“We are here to commiserate and see what we can do. As early as possible, (we want you) to return to normalcy. I ask the people of Biliran to bear with us,” Duterte said.
He urged the police and military to walk the “extra mile to finish this sad chapter,” adding that he went to Biliran because of his
traumatic experience with Typhoon Yolanda, which ravaged Tacloban and claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in 2013.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Chief Executive “condoled with the victims of Urduja and pledged that the government will do everything it can to help Biliran rise again.”
The President, he added, instructed the trade department to monitor surges in the prices of commodities and the interior department to intensify its search for missing persons, aside from directing the public works department to finish two damaged bridges in Naval town in less than 30 days.
During the meeting, the transportation department reported that the airports in Tacloban and Ormoc sustained minor damage but are still functioning well.
Roque said there was also some discussion on the possibility of having to rethink the crops of Biliran to make them more resilient to weather disturbances.
“The DA (Department of Agriculture), while offering a credit facility of P25,000 for farmers, also stressed that with climate change, perhaps Biliran should consider shifting to coconut and cacao,” he pointed out.
Duterte, during the open forum, asked the mayors to submit a list of projects they need to restore normalcy in their respective towns.
Biliran Mayor Grace Casil expressed concern that the remaining food supply in Biliran was only good for one day. A total of 25,000 food packs are ready for distribution, according to the social welfare department.
“The President said that if the supplies don’t come soon enough, he will order the Air Force to airlift food supplies,” Roque said. – Michael Punongbayan
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