“Sabihin ninyo sa amin. Kung kaya namin dalhin, kaya namin ibigay, gagawin namin.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured continued government assistance to communities affected by recent calamities, vowing that national agencies will remain on the ground until all displaced residents have recovered and returned to their everyday lives.
President Marcos said the government’s response is not a one-time effort, urging victims not to hesitate in voicing their needs.
Agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) are committed to providing sustained aid and rehabilitation support.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang. ‘Yung lagi kong sinasabi sa ating mga nagiging biktima, pagka may sakuna kagaya nito, ay lagi kong sinasabi na huwag kayong magdadalawang isip kung anong pangangailangan ninyo, sabihin ninyo sa amin,” the President said during the post disaster situation briefing at the Tarragona Municipal Hall in Davao Oriental.
The President said national agencies would remain on the ground alongside local government units (LGUs) to ensure that affected families receive food, shelter, and medical aid as they rebuild their communities.
“At hindi ito pang minsanan lamang. Hindi kami aalis dito, hindi aalis ang DSWD, ang DOH, ang DPWH, DHSUD, lahat. Wala sa aming aalis dito hangga’t lahat ng mga citizens na natamaan ay nakabalik na sa more or less na normal na buhay,” the Chief Executive added.
“Hindi na nangangailangan ng relief goods, hindi na nangangailangan ng shelter, hindi na nangangailangan ng gamot, at least na emergency. ‘Yun ang ating gagawin. So, that’s our job.”
President Marcos emphasized that the recovery effort would be carried out in close coordination with local officials, noting that LGUs are in the best position to identify the needs of their constituents.
“We have to do this together with the local government. Kasi ang local government talaga ang pinaka-authoritative. Kayo ang nakakaalam kung saan yung problema, alam din ninyo kung ano ‘yung dapat maging solusyon. So, nakikinig kami sa inyo,” the President said.
President Marcos said that displaced residents already have access to food and temporary shelter, but assured them that the national government will continue to provide support until full recovery is achieved. | PND
