Duterte promises housing, restoration of power supply in Odette-hit areas

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to give housing assistance and ensure prompt restoration of power supply, among others, in areas hit by Typhoon Odette, the Palace said Monday.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said Duterte made the assurance during his visit to Cebu and Bohol provinces on Sunday.

"In Argao, Cebu, the President interacted with the local government officials and evacuees in the area. He instructed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario to provide housing assistance to residents whose places of residence have been damaged by the typhoon," Nograles said.

"President Duterte likewise instructed Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi to call on the private sector to help and encourage gas stations to open and operate. In addition, the DOE is working double time to restore energy in Cebu," he added.

The Palace official said that at the time of Duterte’s visit to Cebu, electricity has been restored in some parts of the province for the use of hospitals, among others.

In addition, Nograles said that the Department of Agriculture has allocated P445 million to assist farmers and fisherfolk in the region whose yields were destroyed by Odette.

"President Duterte underscored that while the effects of the typhoon is devastating even as the country continues its battle against COVID-19, the government must help because people need help," the acting presidential spokesperson said.

"He then committed that the national government will urgently provide for the needs of typhoon-hit areas and their residents, which include rice and water, construction materials for rebuilding of damaged houses, and housing assistance, with topmost priority given to the poor," Nograles added.

Typhoon Odette first made landfall over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, and proceeded to leave devastation as it cut through parts of Visayas and Mindanao, before emerging over the vicinity of Kalayaan Islands, Palawan last week.

On Saturday, Duterte conducted an aerial inspection of some of the areas hit by Typhoon Odette such as Siargao, Surigao City, the Dinagat Islands, and Maasin City in Southern Leyte.

Duterte also had meetings with the local government officials of these areas. —KG, GMA News