Marcos office gives P50M to Pepito-hit Nueva Vizcaya

The Office of the President handed over P50 million to the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya to aid in its recovery following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the distribution of assistance during his visit in Bambang on Friday morning.

Marcos assured affected residents that local officials would continue to assess who among them still need assistance from the government.

“Huwag kayong mag-alala. Kahit na sunod-sunod ‘yung bagyo ay mayroon naman tayo, kagaya ng aking sinabi, mayroon naman tayong pagkukuhanan at tuloy-tuloy ang ating pag-produce nitong mga relief goods,” Marcos said in his speech.

(Don’t worry. Even there was a series of tropical cyclones, just like what I’ve said, we have resources and we will continue to produce these relief goods.)

“At tuloy-tuloy naman hangga’t may request ay tuloy-tuloy pa ang aming pagbigay,” he added.

(We will continue with this as long as there are requests for assistance.)

Aside from the cash aid from Marcos’ office, a P5,000 monetary assistance to beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.

The President also inspected the Bambang Bypass Road while being briefed by Governo Jose Gambito and Mayor Benjamin Lloren Cuaresma III.

Marcos then tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Bambang Bypass Road after it was damaged by Pepito.

The President directed DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan to personally assess the situation.

“Nakita na po namin ‘yung mga ibang damage doon sa mga flood control at siya po ang gumagawa ngayon ng plano para paayos natin para patibayin pa natin ng – kung mayroon man may sumunod pa na bagyo ay hindi na masisira ulit,” Marcos said.

(We saw the damage in our flood control projects and he [Bonoan] is already crafting plans to ensure that the bypass road will not be damaged again if ever another tropical cyclone hits the country.)

A total of 77 road sections and 32 bridges were affected in Nueva Vizcaya due to the recent tropical cyclones, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Earlier reports said seven people including an 8-year-old child were killed in a landslide in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya amid the onslaught of Pepito. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News