By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed gratitude to first responders and local government units (LGUs) for working tirelessly as consecutive typhoons battered parts of the country in recent weeks.
In a media interview, Marcos reported one fatality in the province of Camarines Norte due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-Yi).
“We have been monitoring Pepito all night. At unfortunately, I’m sorry and saddened to report that mayroon tayong casualty na isa sa Cam Norte. And you know my feelings about that is that one casualty is one casualty too many. So, that is unfortunate,” Marcos told reporters.
The President then thanked all those who worked to ensure the safety of Filipinos from the devastation brought by the typhoons, noting that Pepito “wasn’t as bad as we feared.”
“I’m sure that they are exhausted. I am sure that they have done – they continue to do and work as hard as they can. Kaya’t tayo po’y nagpapasalamat sa kanila (We are thankful to them),” Marcos said.
Likewise, he thanked the public for heeding the call for cooperation, especially in monitoring and following government alerts.
Marcos has assured that relief operations and recovery efforts will continue in affected areas.
“We will now carry on with the rescue of those isolated areas and the continuing relief for those who are – who have been displaced and have no means to prepare their own meals and have no water supplies,” Marcos said.
“Rebuilding will also start to continue as well,” he added.
He also appealed to Filipinos to exemplify the spirit of Christmas and help those affected by the typhoons.
“At kahit papaano sana ‘yung ating – sanang gawing pamasko, ipamahagi na lang natin sa kanila. Kawawa naman at sila’y naghihirap (I hope this Christmas, we remember our countrymen — I hope we make them feel Christmas, let’s help them. Our people are suffering),” he said.
Pepito, the sixth tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in a month, dumped torrential rains and unleashed typhoon-force winds over the majority of Luzon and parts of the Visayas starting on Nov. 15, triggering flooding in several areas, especially in the Bicol Region which was battered by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in late October.
Pepito made landfall over Aurora province on Sunday afternoon and crossed the landmass of mainland Luzon. It has since weakened and is now moving over the West Philippine Sea.
In Catanduanes, the Diocese of Virac has appealed for help for the residents badly hit by Pepito.
“The Island Province of Catanduanes needs your help! Typhoon Pepito has left our kababayan (countrymen) with devastated homes, disrupted livelihoods, and shattered hopes. We humbly appeal for your generosity and kindness to support them in this difficult time,” it said in a social media post on Sunday.
“Every donation, big or small, will make a difference in the lives of every Catandueño,” it added.
It said affected individuals need non-perishable food items (e.g., rice, canned goods, noodles), hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads), clothing, and blankets.
The relief goods may be dropped off at the Diocesan Pastoral Center and the Chancery Office in Virac, Catanduanes.
For financial aid, donors may deposit to BDO bank account of the “Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Virac, Inc.” with account number 006030018417 and swift code BNORPHMM, or via GCash with number 0916-405-5309 with the name Eric John T. Rojas. (with a report from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
