Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in Maguindanao del Norte that the government will provide assistance to those whose houses were damaged by the cyclone’s wrath.
During his visit to the area on Tuesday, Marcos said he already instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to deliver housing aid of up to ₱10,000 to help residents rebuild.
“Bibigyan na lang namin kayo ng, depende, ₱5,000-₱10,000 bawat isa, para makapagbili ng construction materials, para makapagpili kayo, kung papaano ang gusto niyong gawin,” Marcos told typhoon victims during a relief distribution event in Datu Odin Sinsuat town.
[Translation: We’ll give you around ₱5,000-₱10,000 each so you can buy construction materials, so you can choose whichever you like.]
It was unclear if the directive covers all affected provinces in the country.
Earlier in the day, Marcos conducted an aerial survey of communities hit by landslides in Maguindanao del Norte – one of the areas most battered by Paeng. The chief executive also led a situation briefing, where he called for better cooperation among local officials.
READ: Marcos tells LGUs: Push bureaucracy aside in ‘Paeng’ aid distribution
Meanwhile, Marcos also noted that the national government will continue monitoring the situation in the province, particularly those who remain in evacuation centers.
“Patuloy namin susuportahan ‘yan – hanggang makauwi, hanggang makabalik sa kani-kanilang bahay [We will continue to support them – until they come home],” he said.
Disaster officials’ latest report said the death toll from Paeng has risen to 112 nationwide.
