Tuesday, July 01, 2008 Erap flies to Iloilo to help typhoon victims
FORMER President Joseph Estrada on Monday flew to Iloilo to distribute relief goods to the victims of Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) even as he called on all sectors of society to set aside political differences and unite to help areas affected by the calamity.
In a statement, Estrada said he will visit the municipalities of Pavia and Oton in the morning and Alimodian in the afternoon to distribute relief bags containing rice, noodles and sardines to residents.
Pavia is one of the hardest-hit municipalities in the province.
"I believe that we should be united in helping the victims of Typhoon Frank and that we should set aside politics to work together in helping the victims," Estrada said.
Estrada's spokesperson Margaux Salcedo said the former Chief Executive will distribute about 1,000 relief bags for each municipality.
"He (Estrada) was invited by Vice Governor Rolex Suplico to see for himself the devastation brought by Typhoon Frank, and he decided immediately to go there to be with the victims," Salcedo said.
Suplico had been very open about his frustration with the government's response in the aftermath of the calamity even as he called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to end his working visit to the United States and immediately go home to manage the rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Salcedo said Estrada was very happy that he was able to find a way to extend assistance to the affected residents.
"He (Estrada) is only happy to help. He has been meaning to find a way to assist victims of Typhoon Frank so when he heard from Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, he did not think twice about flying to Iloilo and distributing goods to those hardest hit by the storm," she said.
The former President will also be flying to Aklan on Wednesday to distribute relief goods to typhoon victims in Kalibo and Ibajay.
Last Sunday, Estrada and his party were in Palawan distributing relief goods.
Estrada was joined by United Opposition (UNO) president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay who also distributed relief goods.
The Makati City council has approved a City Ordinance appropriating P10 million to assist municipalities, cities and provinces hard devastated by Typhoon Frank.
The amount will be used to buy relief goods and other basic needs of the typhoon victims.
Binay said local government units (LGUs) should be able to rely on each other in times of disasters.
"We cannot idly stand and watch fellow Filipinos suffer from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Frank. The proper course of action is to help them rebuild and to give them hope that a bright tomorrow awaits them," Binay said.
Aside from Iloilo, the Makati City Government will be extending support to its sister LGUs and other localities devastated by the recent typhoon.
Among the localities specified to receive assistance are Hagonoy, Bulacan; Batangas City, Batangas; Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Calamba, Laguna; Pagsanjan, Laguna; Baras, Rizal; Gumaca, Quezon; Lucena City, Quezon; Sta. Maria, Romblon; Iloilo City, Iloilo; and Talisay City, Cebu.
Makati City Administrator Marjorie de Veyra said the mayor has instructed the department to bring supplies to the afflicted areas, particularly much needed drinking water, rice, canned goods and noodles. A group of city employees and volunteers have already been deployed to badly affected areas. (AH/Sunnex)
