The depression left by Typhoon Julian on residents of Batanes and its government turned into high hopes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the province on Friday to personally extend over PhP42.780 million in financial assistance and other support to the province.

“Sa inyong pagbisita sa amin, kahit papaano ay napawi ang aming mga lungkot at nabigyan kami ng pag-asa,” the teary-eyed Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco told President Marcos in a situation briefing.

“Mahalaga sa amin ang iyong pagpunta sa aming probinsya dahil malinaw itong nangangahulugan na mayroong gobyerno na nakikinig at mayroong malasakit sa amin kahit na kami ay nasa pinakadulong bahagi ng ating bansa,” Cayco said.

“Tunay ngang sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang malayo o malapit at walang maiiwanan. Kaya naman sa ngalan ng buong Batanes at ng lahat ng mga Ibatan, ang aking lubos at wagas na pasasalamat po, President Bongbong Marcos.”

Cayco told President Marcos that 172 families, or around 2,864 individuals, were evacuated during the onslaught of Typhoon Julian, which left 276 houses damaged and 2,048 others partially damaged.

In terms of damage to agriculture, Cayco said they recorded a total of PhP46,097,455.90 worth of damage to agriculture, comprising PhP24,490,655.90 worth of damage to crops; livestock at PhP2,578,400; farm facilities at PhP7,950,000; and PhP11,078,400 to fisheries.

The governor also said Typhoon Julian left PhP840,419,900.17 worth of damages to infrastructure, water sources, power and communication lines, school buildings, bridges, roads and walls.

Before concluding her remarks, the Batanes Governor also expressed her gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for prepositioning thousands of boxes of food packs before Typhoon Julian hit the province.

For his part, President Marcos assured the provincial government and its residents of the administration’s continued support amid the challenges posed by the typhoon. | PND