Kiko Pangilinan asks for stable fuel supply in Odette-hit Surigao City

Opposition Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan have extended assistance to several provinces hit by Typhoon Odette.

Pangilinan, who is running for vice president in the upcoming polls, visited Surigao City and discussed the need for fuel supply in the locality with Rodolfo Leal Jr., a representative of the Department of Energy (DOE).

He raised with the DOE official the need for a price freeze and monitoring of kerosene, noting that it was the only way for residents to have electricity as power restoration might take a while.

“Kausap natin ang kinatawan ng DOE kanina kasi sabi nga natin kinakailangan ang price freeze at monitoring. Pero mas mahalaga ay pumasok ang mga supplies ng krudo dito sa Surigao para hindi na tinitingi o nira-ration ang gasolina,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

(We talked with a representative of the DOE and we raised the need for a price freeze and monitoring. It is important for the fuel to arrive here in Surigao to ensure that there's sufficient supply of gasoline.)

Apart from this, Pangilinan said there is a need for banks to open as residents of Surigao City have to access their funds to survive the aftermath of the calamity.

He said he would talk to the officials of various banks and telecommunications companies to raise the services needed by the residents of Surigao City.

Moreover, Pangilinan met the local government officials of Surigao City and Surigao del Norte to identify the urgent needs of their constituents.

“Narito tayo para malaman kung ano ang tulong na kailangan ng city at provincial government. Wala kasing communication kaya minabuti namin na personal nang pumunta dito. Nauna nang pumunta si Vice President Leni at si President Duterte ay nadaan na din. Pero we felt na dapat ay tulong-tulong. Pagtulungan natin dahil napakatindi nitong sinapit ng ating mga kababayan dito,” he said.

(We are here to determine what are the needs of the city and the provincial government. The communication lines here are still down that's why we came here personally. Vice President Leni and President Duterte already went here but we felt that we should work together to help the affected residents. Let us work together because our countrymen are suffering because of this huge aftermath.)

“We’re here to help. We’re here to provide additional support. Kaya natin kinausap si mayor para malaman ang mga pangangailangan dito (That it why we talked with the mayor to know their needs),” he added.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros spearheaded a relief operations in Maasin, Padre Burgos, and Sogod in Southern Leyte, as well as municipalities of Kabankalan and Himamaylan in Negros Occidental.

She is set to visit Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands tomorrow.

Hontiveros brought with her a mobile clinic to provide free medical services to victims of the typhoon.

“Habang nagrerelief operations, nais sana natin na lahat mabigyan din ng libreng serbisyong-medikal tulad ng X-Ray, ultrasound, at ECG mula sa ating mobile clinic, kasama ang konsultasyon sa duktor, pero may mga lugar na hindi pa rin nakakabalik ang kuryente kaya’t pili lang ang mapupuntahan. Gayunpaman, sisikapin parin nating makaabot ang mobile clinic sa mga lugar kung saan higit na kailangan siya ng ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros said.

(While we are conducting relief operations, we also wanted to give free medical services like x-ray, ultrasound, and ECG with our mobile clinic. There will be a consultation with the doctors but there are areas where the power lines are still down that is why the mobile clinic will only operate to select areas. Nevertheless, we will do our best to make sure that the mobile clinic will reach areas where it is badly needed.)

Furthermore, the lawmaker said she would push for policies that will prepare the nation for future typhoons.

“Wala na tayong panahon na i-delay pa ang mga patakaran na pantugon sa epekto ng climate change. Ito ay realidad na kailangan harapin at sagutin,” Hontiveros said.

(We can no longer delay the policy which will respond to the effects of climate change. This is a reality that we need to face and respond to.)

In another statement, Pangilinan thanked foreign governments and international organizations that extended their assistance to the victims of Typhoon Odette.

“The world has come together anew to bring succor and hope to Filipinos who now face Christmas without homes, food, potable water, and electricity. Foreign governments and aid agencies, which are also battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, did not think twice about giving what they can to our people," he said.

"Hindi sila nagreklamo na lubog sila na utang o kaya naman ay hirap din sa pondo dahil sa pandemya. Hindi sila nagdalawang-isip, nagbigay agad ng tulong," he added.

(They did not complain that they are already drowned in debt because of the pandemic. They did not hesitate to extend help.)

United States, China, Japan, and United Kingdom have announced that they would extend help to the Philippines after some of its provinces were devastated by Typhoon Odette. —NB, GMA News