Marcos releases P80-M cash aid to Albay, Naga City

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday provided P80 million worth of financial aid to the local governments of Albay and Naga City following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Marcos released P50 million to Acting Albay Governor Glenda Ong-Bongao and P30 million to Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion from the Office of the President.

"For the immediate needs, I think we're okay. Ang problema talaga natin dito, wala nang masyadong tubig, pero may area pa na nabaha," Marcos said during a situation briefing in Naga City.

(Our real problem is that there is not much rainfall anymore but there are still areas that are flooded.)

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who was also at the briefing, said the agency is delivering 35,000 food packs to Naga City.

“So, today (Saturday), we’re delivering 8,000, mamayang gabi (later at night) another four, so 12. And then, we’ll be finished with another—one to two days tapos na ho ‘yung buong 35 [thousand],” Gatchalian said.

Bongao said 92,000 families in her province were affected by the severe tropical storm and needed food aid.

Medical manpower

In the same briefing, Marcos said the government will also be providing additional medical manpower in the Bicol Region.

“That was the decision we made yesterday (Friday) when we had an overall meeting that DOH has to send medical teams,” he said.

DOH Bicol Center for Health Development (CHD) Assistant Regional Director Rosa Maria Rempillo said during the meeting that a number of medical facilities in areas heavily affected by the tropical cyclone needed additional workforce.

“We are requesting additional manpower for the Geriatric Medical Center kasi six days na pong straight 'yung mga tao natin du'n (because our personnel there have been on duty for six days straight),” she said.

Rempillo said the DOH central office vowed to send further personnel for government hospitals in Bicol, including the Naga City Hospital, while Health Emergency Response Teams (HERTs) have been deployed to provide assistance in evacuation centers.

“Right now, our health workers, though affected, are deployed in the different evacuation centers, serving our affected population,” she said.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH allotted P142 million in assistance for storm victims.

Presidential helicopter deployed for relief operations

Also on Saturday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) deployed a Bell 412 presidential helicopter to deliver relief supplies to storm-hit areas.

In a statement, the PAF said the helicopter delivered goods from Tactical Operations Group 5 going to Libon, Albay, allowing rapid aid distribution to impacted areas.

PAF Black Hawk and Huey helicopters were also deployed.

"This operation highlights the PAF’s commitment and readiness to utilize all available air assets for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations," the PAF said in a statement. —VBL, GMA Integrated News