Malacañang appeals to informal settlers to heed
government’s advice
Malacañang on Friday issued an appeal to
informal settlers still living in danger zones and areas that were already
washed out by floods to heed government’s advice and allow themselves to be
transferred to a safe compound for their safety.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has personally
visited these families shortly upon arriving from Iriga City where he attended
the wakes of Justice Vicente de Lima, the father of Secretary Leila de Lima and
Private First Class Arwin Martirez of the Philippine Army who was one of the 10
soldiers killed in action in Sumisip, Basilan last July 26.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
during a press briefing said the government is hoping that families whose
shanties were destroyed by floods will cooperate with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) relocation plans for them.
“We do appeal to the residents along these areas
that have been identified as danger areas to heed the appeal also of the DSWD
para maiwasan na po ang ganitong pinsala sa kanila. Kasi hindi lang po storm
surge ang nakagawa ng pinsala at delikado talaga sa kanila sa tabi ng dagat”
Valte said.
“They are greatly affected by this so lahat sila
ngayon nandoon sa evacuation centers. Sana po makipag-cooperate sila para
mailayo sa mga sakunang pwedeng mangyari dahil sa mga dating kinatatayuan ng
kanilang bahay,” she stressed.
The Palace official was referring to families
currently seeking refuge in a covered court in Barangay 105 Vitas, Tondo,
Manila after a couple of barges that were swept away by the storm surge which
crashed into their shanties during the onslaught of typhoon ‘Gener’.
Valte, moreover, mentioned that the country’s
experiences following this latest calamity should not just serve as a lesson to
local chief executives but to everyone in general as we continue to learn how
to adapt to the effects of climate change.
“Nakita po natin the amount of trash that washed
up on Manila Bay…parang so far po yata 100 trucks na ang nahahakot ng MMDA
(Metro Manila Development Authority) along Roxas Boulevard. This should serve
as a lesson to all of us,” she said.
Latest data from the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that typhoon ‘Gener’ has claimed
37 lives and Valte assured the general public that government agencies are
already moving to extend assistance to the affected families.
Quoting the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), Valte said a total of 110,633 families composed of 519,651
persons were affected by the storm from 771 barangays, 118 municipalities, and
21 cities of the 29 provinces in Metro Manila, the Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR), and Northern Mindanao.
Valte said the government has already provided a
total of P7,230,430.75 worth of relief assistance to the affected families in
CAR, NCR, and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, and X. On top of this, she
said the DSWD still has a standby fund of P5.6-million and P37.35-million worth
of relief supplies.
The Palace official also said the Department of
Health (DOH) has likewise alerted all public hospitals on the potential rise in
cases of leptospirosis given the prevalence of floods and told its doctors to
immediately render medical assistance for those who may be afflicted with it.
“Nag-alert na po ang Department of Health sa mga
public hospitals to be on hand to treat ‘yung mga papasok po na mayroong
leptospirosis. Alam po natin na usually kapag nagkakabaha, leptospirosis po ang
isa sa mga sakit na lumalabas kapag nagkakaroon po tayo ng ganitong sitwasyon.
Naka-alerto na po ang ating mga public hospitals to render assistance and treatment
to any potential victims,” she said.
She added that the DOH also assured the public
that antibiotics and other medicines for common illnesses such as fever, cough,
colds, flu, and diarrhea have already been prepositioned in all government
hospitals in case it will be needed. (hdc)
Aquino urges socio-civic organizations to
continue helping government achieve progress
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the
socio-civic organizations to continue to help his administration in order to
achieve its goal of an equitably progressive Philippines.
"We in government count on socio-civic
organizations such as yours among our committed partners in nation-building.
Let us work together along the straight and righteous path towards the future
of peace, stability, and lasting reform that the Filipino people rightfully
deserve," President Aquino said in his message to the Rotary Club of
Manila Midtown on the occasion of its 28th Induction and Handover Ceremony on
Friday.
The Chief Executive congratulated the new set of
officers and members of the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown following the
induction rites. Chartered in June 1985, the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown is a
“daughter club” of the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila.
"I urge you to take this opportunity to
spur a new spirit of optimism and confidence among your colleagues and lead
them and the Rotary to greater heights," the President said.
He also acknowledged the contributions made by
the Rotary Club of Manila Midtown and other socio-civic organizations in Manila
for their contributions in nation-building.
"The City of Manila stands testament to our
nation’s dynamism; its storied heritage is a remarkable narrative demonstrating
the resilience and vitality of the Filipino. Having this vibrant, rich backdrop
gives impetus to your mission to be of greater service to your fellowman,"
the President said.
"May you continue to build on the pride and
patriotism from which your beloved city has thrived through its history. May
you remain in solidarity, guided by the values of compassion, dedication,
excellence, and integrity, in keeping with our national aspiration of an
equitably progressive Philippines," he said. (js)
Aquino assures typhoon victims of long-term
assistance to help uplift their living condition
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the
victims of the recent typhoon of the government’s long-term assistance which
includes housing and livelihood in efforts to uplift their standards of living
and ensure their safety especially in times of calamities.
In his message during the distribution of relief
goods in Barangay 105 Covered Court, Zone 8, District 1 in Tondo, Manila on
Friday afternoon, the President bared the relocation of the affected families
to a temporary shelter adding that the National Housing Authority (NHA) is
preparing a permanent housing for the typhoon victims.
“Para sa inyo po nakahanda iyong lugar na
tinatawag na Aroma… lilipat muna po kayo dun temporarily tapos yung permanent
na relocation po ay itinatayo na ng NHA sa Montalban para mailayo (kayo) sa
peligro tapos pagtutulungan na lang po natin ng husto para naman yung
livelihood ay hindi mapabayaan,” the President said.
“Umasa po kayo na tuloy-tuloy ang pamahalaan nyo
na pupunuin ang mga kakulangan, pipilitin natin na bigyan ang lahat ng
oportunidad dahil ang layunin nga natin sa pag-angat po ng Pilipinas wala dapat
maiiwan…lahat bigyan ng pagkakataon na umasenso sa buhay,” he added.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon
“Dinky” Soliman said the temporary shelter facility called “Aroma Housing”
which is under the NHA in Road 10 is just 50 meters away from their place in
Tondo.
She added that the DSWD-National Capital Region
will closely coordinate with the city of Manila and the NHA to facilitate the
transfer of the evacuees.
Apart from their relocation, the Chief Executive
said that the affected families will also undergo training under the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other concerned
government agencies to ensure livelihood and provide economic opportunities.
“Tuturuan kayo ng skills ng TESDA at iba pang
mga ahensya ng gobyerno para meron tayong pagkakabuhayan,” the President said
as he urged the people to continue employing the spirit of Bayanihan that is
innate among Filipinos.
“Para sa akin po mali na isusugal natin ang
buhay ng ating mga kababayan kung meron naman tayong magagawa para mailagay
sila sa lugar na may kapanatagan ang ating kalooban… pakiusap ko po, mas
maganda kung nagdadamayan, nagtutulungan tayong lahat at iniintindi natin ang
kapwa,” the President noted.
Also in attendance were Metro Manila Development
Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, NHA general
manager Chito Cruz and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
During the event, President Aquino led the
distribution of relief goods composed of mats, blankets and food packs worth
250 pesos to some 215 families in the area.
Soliman said a permanent resettlement will be
available for the displaced families coming from Sitio Damayan Happyland,
Barangay 105 in Manila. (jcl/5:00 p.m.)
Aquino visits wake of soldier killed in Basilan
clash, extends financial assistance
PIO DURAN, Albay: President Benigno S. Aquino
III visited Friday the wake of one of the soldiers who died last week in an
encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan.
The President arrived here in Pio Duran noontime
Friday to extend his condolences to the family of Pfc Arwin C. Martirez and at
the same time recognize his heroism and gallantry in battle that cost his life.
Other fallen soldiers identified by the military
include Pfc Segundiano G. Tamayo Jr., Pfc Mark B. Ocampo, Pfc Rey C.
Evangelista, Pfc Arnold D. Coresis, Pfc Cleto A. Algayan, Pfc Kennith John D.
Maribao, Pfc Jose Marvin V. Talamante Jr., Cpl Jerry N. Areglado and Pfc Erwin
Alerta.
The chief executive handed over to Luzviminda
Martirez, the soldiers mother, a P250,000 check as financial assistance to the
grieving family. He also vowed to support three of Martirez’s sibling to finish
their schooling, prioritizing a sister who is now third year high school.
Martirez, according to his mother, is the
family’s bread winner, and has dreamed of seeing his younger siblings get their
respective college degrees. This is the reason why Martirez entered military
service, his childhood dream.
The young soldier is barely a year in his
military career when he was killed last July 26 in Mindanao, his mother said.
Martirez, 24, along with other nine Army
soldiers, died in a fierce encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group in Sumisip, Basilan.
The clash occurred on Thursday last week at
Upper Cabenbeng, Sumisip, Basilan. Eight of the 10 soldiers who died were
members of the 10th and the 11th Scout Ranger Companies. Seventeen other
soldiers were also wounded.
The military also reported casualties on the Abu
Sayyaf Grouop. It said nine Moro gunmen, were killed during the firefights,
while four others were wounded.
The first clash began at around 7:30 a.m. after
more than 60 Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed troops from the 11th Scout Ranger
Company, triggering a firefight, the military said.
During the initial firefight, another Abu Sayyaf
group that was accompanied by members of other lawless groups, attacked a
military detachment at 3 p.m., and ambushed reinforcing soldiers, including
elements of the 11th Scout Ranger Company.
Accompanying the President during his visit in
Pio Duran include Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory
Domingo, former partylist representative Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, Albay second
district Rep. Fernando Gonzalez, and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda. (as/6:07pm)
