Gov't to allocate P2-B aid for Odette-hit areas, says Nograles

The national government assured P2 billion worth of relief assistance for communities affected by Typhoon Odette, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Sunday.

This despite President Rodrigo Duterte's previous statement that funds were depleted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Si Pangulong Duterte has already committed P2 billion na funding. Ang i-allocate to help ito rin. Sinabi niya sa governors na kinausap niya kahapon," said Nograles over Super Radyo dzBB.

(President Duterte has already committed P2 billion of funding. It will be allocated to help. He told the governors yesterday.)

Duterte conducted an aerial inspection on Saturday of some of the areas hit by Typhoon Odette. He also had meetings with the local government officials of these areas.

Nograles also said there were also prepositioned family food packs as well as non-food items worth P1 billion.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is also committed to clear the roads in the area.

Over 31 fatalities nationwide were reported after Typhoon Odette ravaged Visayas and Mindanao areas, said Nograles.

Meanwhile, Nograles said there are also more than 700,000 people in 2,322 villages affected by Typhoon Odette.

"Sa evacuation centers, mayroon po tayong evacuees na mga 74,680 families so ito 'yung mga kailangan nating tulungan," he also said.

(We have 76,480 families evacuated that need help.)

Verification on damage assessment is also still underway, the Cabinet Secretary said.

Odette, which Nograles described as worse than Typhoon Sendong that hit Cagayan de Oro in 2011, has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility but it will still dampen Kalayaan Islands in Palawan this weekend.

Duterte is set to visit Bohol and Cebu provinces on Sunday, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said. —KG, GMA News