President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the national government will provide whatever is needed for response action amid Mayon Volcano's restiveness.

Reiterating what he stated during the situation briefing in Legazpi City, Albay on Wednesday night, June 14, Marcos said the national government is ready to provide funds and other assistance to augment the quick response funds in the province.

"Whatever is needed, we will have to provide. Marami namang tumutulong (Many are helping), all agencies are already engaged in their rehabilitation effort, in the support for the evacuees," Marcos said in an interview on Thursday.

Aside from the funding, the President said the government can provide other necessities for the evacuees and for the response actions in various areas in Albay.

He said the government "must be sensitive" to the needs of the province amid the emergency as every municipality face different challenges in conducting quick response operations.

"I think in terms of the actual na gastos na ano, palagay ko, alam ko naman may budget tayo diyan, pero ang instruction ko sa kanila, pag-aralan n'yo nang mabuti, hindi yung basta kayo bigay nang bigay ng pera (funding, I think, as far as I know, we have a budget for that but my instruction to them is to assess thoroughly, and not just keep giving money)," Marcos said.

"Kailangan tignan ninyo ano ba ang problema para maayos natin kung ano ang problema nila (You have to check what their problems are so we can fix them, and if it takes cash then that’s well and good, but sometimes it’s not cash," Marcos added.

The President said there are other issues "that are basically not quantifiable but they are important."

He mentioned the issues of mental health of children and parents in the evacuation centers, the situation of elderly who are under medication, and residents who had to leave behind their livelihood, among others.

During the situation briefing, Marcos told the national government to "take the load off" the province of Albay in terms of quick response funding.

The chief executive said the national government has to intervene as response action on Mayon restiveness may take 45 to 90 days, considering how limited the local government units' funds are.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by BETHEENA UNITE

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