President Aquino leads distribution of food
packs to flooding and typhoon victims in Imus, Cavite
IMUS, Cavite) President Benigno S. Aquino III
led the distribution of food packs and relief items to victims of typhoon
'Maring' at the Tinabunan Elementary School here on Thursday.
The President distributed the food packs
containing rice, bread, noodles, coffee and a variety of canned goods to some
178 families from Barangays Pag-asa 1, 2 and 3 Tuclong 2B and Medicion.
Joining the President were Social Welfare
Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, Public Works Secretary Rogelio
Singson, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Transportation Secretary Jose Abaya
and Cavite local officials.
In a brief message, the President said the
purpose of his visit was to check on the status of relief operations and ensure
the people that the government is doing everything to help the victims.
"Gusto lang nating masigurado na nasa ayos
ho kayong lahat. Alam ninyo, malapit kayo sa puso natin pagkatagal-tagal na, at
hindi kayo dapat mapabayaan, at sinisigurado kong hindi nga kayo
pinapabayaan," the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino announces solution to stop
floods in Cavite
IMUS, Cavite) The perennial problem of floods
that have been a usual occurrence in the province of Cavite during the rainy
season may soon be over after President Benigno S. Aquino III announced on
Thursday that a big-ticket solution is already in the works and may be completed
in one to one-and-a-half years.
The President made the announcement of the
construction of a “retarding basin” that will be used to slow down the
accumulation of flood waters in the province in his remarks after leading the
distribution of food packs and relief items to victims of typhoon Maring at the
Tinabunan Elementary School in Imus, Cavite.
He said the government was ready to purchase 50
hectares of private land in the province that will be used to house the
retarding basin and that its construction will begin soon.
“…gagawa na tayo (ng) solusyon, iyong malaking
maitutulong sa pagpigil ng pagbaha. May lupa hong pribado, magkakaroon ng
tinatawag na retarding basin. Mga singkwentang ektarya po ang kakailanganing
lupa dito, na-identify na, para madagdagan ang kayang sapuhin na tubig,” the
President said.
“Hindi na kaya nung Bacoor at saka ‘yung Imus na
ilog, kunin sabay-sabay. So pag nakuha itong lupang ito, at
nakikipag-negotiation na tayo ngayon, tinataya hong between one year to one
year and a half, e talagang malaki ang matatanggal na sitwasyon ng pagbaha dito
sa atin,” he added. PND (rck)
President Aquino open to Senator Lacson as
government anti-graft head
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday
that he is open to appointing Senator Panfilo Lacson as chief government
anti-graft prober to look into and act on graft and corruption cases in the
government.
The President said however that he is still
awaiting a study being conducted by the Office of the Executive Secretary before
drafting an Executive Order officially naming Lacson to the Inter-Agency
Anti-Graft and Corruption Council.
“Well, open tayo pero hinihintay natin
iyong…proposed executive order undergoing study by the Executive Secretary.
Hinihintay ko pa 'yung findings nila dito,” the President said.
He pointed out that other recent events
affecting the country, such as the recent floods, misuse of the Priority
Development Assistance Fund, and the crash of two shipping vessels in Cebu,
have made focusing on working towards the possible appointment of Senator
Lacson next to impossible but he vowed he would ask for updates from the Office
of the Executive Secretary.
“I will follow it up with the Executive
Secretary --- dahil medyo matagal-tagal na ring pending ang proposal ni Senator
Lacson,” the President said.
According to the President the Inter-Agency task
force is composed of representatives from the Ombudsman, the Department of
Justice and the Commission on Audit. PND (rck)
Department of Social Welfare and Development
calls for volunteers to help in repacking relief goods for typhoon victims
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) is calling for more volunteers to help in repacking of goods and relief
items for typhoon victims at the National Relief Operations Center in Pasay
City, a Palace official said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in a statement issued on Thursday that the DSWD is requesting interested
citizens who can work in afternoon and evening shifts.
"To date, 78,737 items have been repacked,
with 50,881 distributed to families and communities affected by Tropical Storm
Maring. Some 78,000 food packs are still needed to be put together, and the
Department targets the completion of 100,000 food packs today," Valte
said.
"Many of our countrymen have already given
their assistance in repackaging relief goods; however, the Department has
observed that more volunteers are needed in the latter part of the day to
ensure the constant delivery of relief goods. The critical hours for packaging
of said goods are from 6 to 8 p.m.," she said.
The government is encouraging concerned citizens
and groups to extend help for typhoon victims.
"Volunteers are asked to coordinate with
the DSWD with regard to the schedule and locations of relief operations, as
well as to call on other groups and individuals who are interested in
assisting," Valte said.
Volunteers may contact the National Relief
Operations Center at 8512681 and 5111259, Valte said. PND (js)
