MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA)—Despite heavy rains caused by the low pressure area (LPA) and shear line, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. pushed through with his visit to Misamis Occidental and led the distribution of various government assistance to affected families at The Working Congressman Sports Complex, Tudela, January 11.The government gave more than P16 million in cash aid, which was given to 3,225 people from the town of Tudela, 1,850 people from the town of Clarin, and 1,203 people from the city of Oroquieta who were badly hurt by the heavy rains and flooding that started on December 26, 2022.
The flood-affected families received cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) worth P5,000 in cash and food packs.
Marcos assured the Misamisnons that his government will continue to provide assistance to those in need, such as relief goods, potable water, clothing, and temporary shelter for the evacuees.
“Nandiyan ang DSWD, nandiyan po lahat ng ating ahensya na maaari ninyong lapitan nang makasiguro kami na lahat ng mga pangangailangan ninyo ay naibibigay,” he said. (The DSWD is present, as are all of our agencies, so you can approach them to ensure that all of your needs are met)
Marcos also told the National Housing Authority (NHA) to find a place for people to move who lost their homes in the recent flooding.
“Nag-coordinate na kami sa National Housing Authority yung mga bahay na totally destroyed, hahanapan natin ng resettlement area para magkaroon ng tirahan. So ‘yan ang ating mga gagawin, sa darating na ilang linggo kaya’t asahan ho ninyo, kung mayroon kayong pangangailangan, nandito po si governor, nandito po si congressman, nandito po ang ating mga ahensya,” he said.
(We are coordinating with the National Housing Authority to rebuild those houses that were totally destroyed. We will find a resettlement area to build houses. So that’s what we’re going to do, in the coming weeks, so you can expect, if you need anything, that the governor is here, the congressman is here, and our agencies are here)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there is a need to find an immediate solution to improve flood-control structures, which serve as the first line of defense against floods and overflowing rivers.
Meanwhile, once a relocation area is identified, the government will send construction materials so people can start constructing new homes, he added.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Lucina Lomongo Balaba, 62, Purok 6, Upper Loboc, Oroquieta City, said, “Mr. President tan-awa tawon ang Oroquieta, perti kaayong luoya, ever since diri ko natawo sa Upper Loboc, karon pa gyud ko nakasinati ug ing-ani nga baha. Daghang salamat kaayo salamat, Mr. President ug sa provincial government ug sa LGU nga nitabang sa among gikahinanglan.”
(Mr. President, look at the town of Oroquieta—pitiful; ever since I was born here in Upper Loboc, I have not experienced this kind of flood. Thank you very much, Mr. President, and to the provincial government and the LGU who helped us with what we need)
Marcos was accompanied by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, and Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Anton Lagdameo Jr. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)
