Duterte vows P10-B fund for Odette victims

President Rodrigo Duterte has promised to raise an additional P10 billion to rehabilitate the provinces affected by typhoon Odette.

The President said this after visiting the typhoon victims in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

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Earlier, Duterte promised P2 billion during his visit to Leyte and an additional P2 billion when he went to Cebu and Bohol.

The President also instructed government agencies to immediately address the needs of typhoon victims in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Duterte specifically ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development to continue providing family food packs, water, and shelter assistance to families whose homes were damaged.

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He also instructed the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor the price of goods, including generators reported to have doubled in price.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief PGen Dionardo Carlos assigned his personnel in the areas devastated by the typhoon to monitor the prices of basic products.

This is to assist the Department of Trade and Industry in implementing a “price freeze” in areas where a state of calamity exists.

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According to the PNP Chief, under Sections 6 and 7 Republic of Act 7581 or “The Price Act,” “price controls” automatically exist in areas declared in a “state of calamity.”

Duterte vows P10-B fund for Odette victims

The local governments of Camarines Norte, Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Occidental have declared a state of calamity following the ravages of typhoon “Odette.”

The victims of Odette are appealing for water, food, clothing, and shelter.

On Dinagat Island, Tubajon Mayor Fely Pedrablanca said they are running out of food and water supply in the coming days.

Dinagat Island faces the Pacific Ocean, which is severely devastated by Odette.

In Siargao alone, 90% of the island was devastated.

In Southern Leyte, Roger Mercado, acting chief of the public information office of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said evacuation centers were also destroyed, so they are asking for shelter tents and construction materials.

They also need food and water.

Up to P3 billion may be needed for rehabilitation and food supply.

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