President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to seek an additional P2 billion and the initial P2 billion he initially pledged to help the provinces devastated by typhoon Odette recover.
Among those visited by the President was the province of Bohol, where he also spearheaded the distribution of aid to typhoon victims.
“So what’s important is you listen to your officials because we’re going to download the money in the bank so they can get money immediately,” Duterte said during the distribution of aid in Inabanga, Bohol.
Duterte also said that the provision of assistance from P2 billion has already begun, and he will seek additional funding.
“So we gave P2 billion, and you’ll divide the amount. We’ve already started assisting, so I’ll look for another P2 billion,” said Duterte.
He also appealed to the people to be patient because the government’s money used in responding to the COVID-19 response has so far run out.
Duterte promises another P2 billion aid to Odette victims
“You know, we don’t have money left. I’m not saying this so that the government won’t have to do anything anymore, but to be totally honest, when the COVID pandemic first started, there was no spending limit,” Duterte said in Cebuano language, which was translated to English by the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
“I’ve racked up huge debts in hotels, both the cheap and expensive ones, because when our OFWs go home, we put them in quarantine first. They are quarantined in hotels, so I’ve racked up massive debts per our calculation. Some of the quarantine hotels are the Manila Hotel, Hyatt, and all [other] hotels as long as they have vacant rooms,” he added.
But the President promised to give priority to those who have almost no property left due to the typhoon.
“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. Unahin natin ang pinakakawawa,” he added.
Duterte also said that the National Housing Authority (NHA) had accelerated the construction of 5,000 to 30,000 houses for typhoon survivors.
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