Sara sees post-typhoon situation, calls unity to attract foreign investments

TACLOBAN CITY — The Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) has helped Vice Presidential aspirant Sara Duterte see for herself the situation in typhoon-stricken towns in the Visayas.

“Nakita ko na yung mga areas na dinaanan ni Typhoon Odette ay hindi pa nakabangon talaga ‘yung mga tao, kung nakikita nyo doon sa ride meron pa ring mga nagpu-put up ng signs na ‘help us’,” Sara said.

Sara said she had to stop and ask upon seeing people asking for help.

“Ang lagi nilang sinasabi okay naman sa pagkain, ang problema namin is yung bubong o mga G.I. sheets na kailangan namin para sa mga bahay namin,” she told reporters on Friday morning.

Sara also said communication and power lines were still being restored in some areas.

“Meron talagang areas na wala pa talagang internet hanggang ngayon or spotty yung internet,” she said.

Sara admitted that she was happy doing the caravan because she was learning a lot from the people she met.

“I am happy na ginawa natin itong Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride dahil madami akong natututunan. It’s worth the pagod at hirap, everyday maaga at gabi na natatapos, dahil nakikita ko yung countrysides, otherwise, if I did not do it, I would not have seen the situation on the ground,” she said.

Meanwhile, Duterte attended the inauguration of the Uniteam Headquarters in Tacloban, where she met Lakas-CMD President and Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez together with the sectoral leaders of Tingog Partylist.

Sara underscored the importance of coming out as a strong nation in attracting foreign investors and in advancing economic prosperity.

“Importante nga makit-an sa tibuok kalibutan nga kusog ang Pilipinas kay importante sa atoa nga dunay mga negosyante nga magsige og tan-aw sa Pilipinas ug magpasulod sa ilahang kwarta diri sa Pilipinas (It is important that the world sees Philippines as a strong country so they will bring in investments), Sara said.

Sara also stressed the importance of ensuring that foreign investments are protected.

“That is the only way that we can improve our economy immediately if foreign investors look into our country and believe that their investments are safe with our government. The only way that we can do that is tell them that our country is strong because everyone is united towards one common goal– that is peace and development,” the mayor added.

Duterte is in the Visayas for her Vice Presidential campaign caravan. The team is expected to arrive in Luzon tomorrow via Sorsogon.

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Sara’s Mahalin Natin ang PilipinasRide draws large crowd on Day 1

Thousands of people lined up along the highway from Davao City to Bislig City as they waited for the arrival of Vice Presidential candidate Sara Duterte on Tuesday.

The Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride (MNPR) started shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday. Some nine hours and 20 stops later, Duterte and her group arrived in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur, some 226 kilometers away. Usually, a trip to Bislig from Davao only takes around five hours.

One of those who waited for Duterte was Nita Oniola, 61, a resident of Trento, Agusan del Sur.

“Moboto jud ko niya kay maayo siya, buotan siya. Mga pobre ang iyang huna-hunaon, dili ang kaugalingon,” Oniola said as her right hand waved a red and green flaglet while her left hand held Dutrete’s poster.

“Ang akong Vice President si Sara Duterte,” she added.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, during MNPR’s send-off ceremony, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, predicted a landslide victory for Dutrete and her Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.

Quiboloy also expressed support to the Uniteam as he prayed for the safety of every one joining the ride with Sara. The send-off was done at the compound of Quiboloy’s church in Buhangin, Davao City.

Present during the send-off were senatoriable candidates Jinggoy Estrada and Harry Roque — both riding their motorcycles with Sara.

The first stop was in Tagum City in Davao del Norte, where Duterte led the inauguration of the Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) provincial headquarters.

Duterte, in her short message, thanked the BBM-Sara tandem supporters and called on them to come together in campaigning for unity in the country.

“Maraming salamat sa suporta ninyo sa Uniteam at lagi nating ikampanya ang panawagan natin lahat – ang pagkakaisa. Sama-sama tayong babangon muli,” she said.

Duterte was welcomed by local supporters and the provincial government leaders led by Davao de Oro Gov. Tyron Uy, Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, First District Rep. Manuel ‘WayKurat’ Zamora and other members of the provincial Hugpong ng Pagbabago slate.

In Bislig City, Duterte graced the opening of the LAKAS-CMD Provincial Headquarters with party National Party Secretary General Prospero Pichay and wife, Cantilan Mayor Carla Pichay.

Sara also met Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel and Rep. Johnny Pimentel in a separate event in Bislig City.

From Bislig, Sara’s team will head to Surigao City Wednesday morning.

The MNPR caravan was conceptualized amid the challenges brought by the imposition of different travel and social gathering restrictions against the spread of COVID-19.

The three to five-hour daily ride will feature tourist landmarks, short meet ups with local supporters, and distribution of Philippine flags to remind Filipinos that the country needs unity to advance positive change and sustainable development.

The caravan will start in the eastern side of Mindanao to Cagayan Valley and will head back to Davao after taking the west-side route from Ilocos Norte. HNP Media

PRRD, Go visit typhoon victims in Cebu and Palawan

As they both expressed their commitment to help communities recover and build back better

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials in Palawan and Cebu on Thursday, December 23 to express solidarity and bring aid to communities hit by Typhoon Odette.

They assured typhoon victims that the government is determined to maximize all its assets to expedite relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

“Sa gitna ng mga kalamidad na ating nararanasan, nanawagan ako sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino na magkaisa para tulungan ang mga nasalanta ng Bagyong Odette,” Go appealed.

“Mahirap maramdaman ang saya ng Kapaskuhan kung alam nating may mga kababayan tayong naghihirap. Kaya wala kaming pahinga ni Pangulong Duterte at ng buong administrasyong ito sa pagsigurong makakarating ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.

Together with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and other key officials, the President and Go met with leaders of Palawan for a situation briefing. Among those present were Governor Jose Alvarez, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Taytay Mayor Christian Rodriguez, Roxas Mayor Dennis Sabando and Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Fernando De Villa Jr.

The President also led the ceremonial turnover of relief goods and essential supplies at the old Puerto Princesa City Airport.

Soon after, they flew to Cebu City where President Duterte met local officials and led the distribution of food packs and the ceremonial turnover of financial assistance to typhoon victims at the Labangon Elementary School gymnasium.

“Para siguraduhin ang maayos na koordinasyon ng relief at rebuilding efforts, personal po nating tinututukan nitong mga nakaraang araw ang mga pinsalang naidulot ng Bagyong Odette. Sa mga pagbisitang ito, nakipagpulong din si Pangulong Duterte sa mga lokal na opisyal upang direktang marinig mula sa kanila ang kanilang mga pangangailangan at agarang matugunan ang mga ito,” Go narrated.

“Kasalukuyang ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang maibalik sa lalong madaling panahon ang supply ng kuryente, komunikasyon at tubig at maipagkaloob ang mga ayuda sa mga apektadong residente. Ngunit kailangan ang whole-of-nation approach para masiguro ang mabilis at tuluy-tuloy na pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan,” he explained further.

President Duterte and Senator Go assured the local communities that the whole government is mobilizing all its assets to help them recover and build back better. The President has also directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard and other concerned uniformed personnel and frontliners to provide needed support to the affected communities.

“Ibinilin ng Pangulo na gamitin lahat ng assets ng gobyerno upang maibangon muli ang mga komunidad na apektado. Inaasahan niya na lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno ay nakatutok sa recovery and rehabilitation efforts at walang oras o pondo na masasayang,” Go said.

To fast track all rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts, the President issued on Tuesday, December 21, Proclamation No. 1267 which placed MIMAROPA, Regions VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), VIII (Eastern Visayas), X, (Northern Mindanao) and XIII (Caraga) under a state of calamity. The declaration will remain in effect for a year until it is modified or rescinded.

In addition to hastening the delivery of government and humanitarian assistance, the proclamation also directs all concerned agencies to coordinate with, provide or augment the basic services and facilities of the affected areas. It likewise orders the law enforcement agencies, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to undertake the necessary measures to ensure peace and order.

“Ipinaalala rin ng Pangulo na dapat mai-release na agad ang karagdagang pondo para sa mga LGUs upang makaresponde sila sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” Go emphasized.

Two days after Typhoon Odette made landfall, Go and the President conducted aerial inspections of typhoon-ravaged areas in Visayas and Mindanao since Saturday and delivered aid to the affected families there. The two were on hand to personally give comfort and support residents of affected communities in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol and Negros Island from December 18 to 20.

On December 22, they returned to Siargao Island and the Dinagat Islands just as promised to personally oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts.

“Mas nanaisin ko pang mag-Pasko kapiling ang mga biktima ng bagyo dahil ito naman ang tunay na diwa ng okasyong ito — ang pagtulong, pagdadalamhati at pakikipagkapwa-tao,” Go stressed.

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Israel Extends Assistance to Typhoon-Hit Areas in the Philippines

Israeli diplomats personally extended assistance to residents affected by Typhoon Odette that wreaked havoc to the Philippines. Initial donations were turn overed to Cebu and Bohol. 

Ambassador Ilan Fluss flew to Cebu to donate four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits to the typhoon-hit residents. The Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines headed by Mr. Yoray Ofek also shared sacks of rice for Talisay, Cebu. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam went to Bohol to turnover one unit of NUF portable water purifier, four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits. The turnover of donations in these areas were held on December 22.

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“The State of Israel and the people of Israel are saddened to see the damage caused to human life, property, and resources caused by Typhoon Odette. We would like to express our sympathies and we would want the Filipinos to know that we stand by them. We are here to assist in every way that we can,” Ambassador Fluss said. The Israeli Ambassador also extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the casualties of the typhoon.

“The solar panels will be useful for areas which don’t have power supply yet. This technology is ready to use and low-maintenance,” Ambassador Fluss mentioned.

“Aside from the issues on power supply, we noticed that typhoon hit areas also experiences shortage of portable water. This Israeli-made portable water purifier will give them access to clean drinking water,” Mr. Balzam explained. 

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Cebu and Bohol are two of the areas frequently visited by Israeli tourists in the Philippines. “I hope that they will recover soon and continue to feature the beauty and rich culture of these places,” Ambassador Fluss said. “It is important for a foreign diplomat like me to personally deliver this assistance to reach out to the communities and let them know that we are always ready to offer a helping hand,” he added.

Around 2,000 families received the food packs and hygiene kits. The embassy is also donating one unit of NUF portable water purifier, four solar energy systems, food packs, and hygiene kits to Siargao. 

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Amid the crisis caused by Typhoon Odette, Bong Go renews push for passage of disaster resiliency measures

Amid the massive devastation left behind by Typhoon Odette, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for the legislature to pass a series of bills intended to improve the country’s resilience and capabilities to mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.

Go pointed out that the Philippines, which is hit by an average of 20 typhoons per year, consistently ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries. It recently ranked fourth in the list of countries most affected by extreme weather events from 2000 to 2019 in the Global Climate Risk Index (2021) developed by Bonn-based think tank Germanwatch.

To mitigate the loss of life and property due to natural disasters, the senator specifically pushed for the passage of a long overdue measure that would institutionalize a clear chain of command, responsive mechanisms, and holistic and proactive approach to handling crisis situations.

Introduced in 2019, Go’s Senate Bill No. 205 consolidates all disaster-related agencies into the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). Doing so would allow for a more concerted approach toward disaster risk reduction and the quicker and more efficient delivery of services during times of crises.

“Kung gaano kabilis at kadalas ang pagdating ng krisis sa ating bansa, dapat lamang na maging mas mabilis, maayos, at maaasahan ang serbisyo ng gobyerno upang maprotektahan ang kapakanan at buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” said the lawmaker.

“Isang aspeto na dapat natin maisaayos ay ang inter-agency coordination. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit matagal ko nang inirerekomenda at paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi na dapat magkaroon ng isang departamento para mayroong timon na tagapamahala ng preparedness, response, and resilience mechanisms pagdating sa mga sakuna,” he added.

Go further noted that all disaster-related agencies, such as the Office of Civil Defense and Philippine Institute of Volcanology, are currently dispersed across different departments. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is relegated to serving as a coordinating body between the various agencies.

If enacted, the proposed department will be primarily responsible for ensuring communities are disaster-resilient, adaptive and safe in the long run. It will focus on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.

Aside from the DDR bill, Go likewise called for the passage of SBN 1228 which provides for the establishment of a permanent evacuation center in every province, city and municipality. The bill, which he filed in the same year and has since passed first reading, proposes a minimum set of requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, accessibility, operation and amenities.

Each center will be directed to maintain a stockpile of essential supplies, such as food, water, clothing, medicine and hygiene packages. It will also have fully-equipped facilities to further ensure the well-being of every Filipino as they weather typhoons and other calamities.

To fast-track the affected families’ recovery, Go also appealed for the enactment of SBN 2393, otherwise called the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, to provide families displaced by natural and man-made disasters the necessary housing subsidies so they can relocate during the interim process of construction and have better access to the formal housing market.

“Tutulungan ng batas na ito na mabigyan ang mga mahihirap at informal settler-families natin ng disenteng buhay. Hangad ko ang suporta ng mga mambabatas dahil ang lahat ng ‘to ay para sa kabutihan ng Pilipino,” continued the senator.

“Asahan niyo na gagawin ko ang parte ko sa Senado upang isulong ang lahat ng mga nais nating makamit sa pamamagitan ng pagpasa ng mga makabuluhan at epektibong batas gaya nito,” he vowed.

Two days after Typhoon Odette made landfall, Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte to assess the situation in affected areas, give aid and comfort to victims, and help fast-track recovery efforts. They conducted inspections and situation briefings from December 18 to 20, particularly in most-hit communities such as Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

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