Support assured for Cordillera

BAGUIO. A group of firemen sprays water on the muddy roads at Loakan near the airport to prevent vehicles and passers from slipping. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are still ongoing near the airport. (Photo by Jean Nicole Cortes)
BAGUIO. A group of firemen sprays water on the muddy roads at Loakan near the airport to prevent vehicles and passers from slipping. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are still ongoing near the airport. (Photo by Jean Nicole Cortes)

THE National Government has assured immediate support to areas in the Cordillera region which was affected by Typhoon Ompong over the weekend.

Francis Tolentino, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs secretary, in his visit at the Police Regional Office Cordillera at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet, gave the assurance during a briefing on the latest situation in the Cordillera by regional directors from the Office of the Civil Defense, Police Regional Office, Philippine Army, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and weather state bureau, Pagasa.

“At present, the search and rescue operations are now ongoing and based on our briefing with these departments. We will be recommending additional funds for these regional departments after some administrative procedures based on the 2009 recommendation, so immediate help will be provided for those affected by the landslide in Barangay Ucab in Itogon,” Tolentino said.

As of 6 a.m. of September 17, the total number of deaths in the region was listed at 54 deaths with 34 in Benguet, nine in Baguio City, six in Mountain Province and one in Kalinga.

At least 44 are still missing in Benguet, and five in Baguio while 17 were injured in Benguet, five in Ifugao, three in Kalinga, and two each in Apayao and Baguio City.

Tolentino noted the efforts the Itogon Municipal Police who personally talked with the affected residents of the town to convince them to evacuate.

“We cannot say someone did not do their job in convincing they would be victims of the landslide. We cannot actually predict where disasters will happen but as far I see it, the police and other agencies were able to do their functions on preparedness,” Tolentino stated.

Tolentino focused on the health and welfare assistance of the victims of Typhoon Ompong in the region and assured his assistance in directing the needs of the regional departments directly to their secretary.

The National Government also looked into giving assistance to vegetable farmers in Benguet and the region who were affected by Ompong.

“We will know from the Department of Agriculture on the latest on the agricultural situation for us to do the necessary recommendations for financial assistance to our vegetable farmers,” Tolentino added.

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