WORKING HOLIDAY. President Rodrigo Duterte bows as a gesture of respect as he visits families affected by Typhoon Odette at an evacuation center on Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Dec. 22, 2021. Duterte said Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021) he would spend the holidays working to ensure that communities battered by “Odette” would receive their much-needed assistance. (Presidential photo by King Rodriguez)

 

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Thursday he would spend the holidays working to ensure that communities battered by Typhoon Odette would receive their much-needed assistance.

 

“Even if it’s Christmas, I am going to work and I am going to visit a lot of places where people are hungry and sick,” he said in a speech in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

 

Duterte said the government would work “overtime,” noting that it is the least he could do to help his fellow Filipinos at a time of crisis.

 

Government will work over Christmas

 

“The government will not close even on Christmas. I said let us make a sacrifice because we have spent so many Christmases in our lifetime. This Christmas, let us give back to the people. That is the only thing I can contribute personally,” he said.

 

Aside from extending assistance, Duterte said he also wanted to bring hope during uncertain times.

 

“I am here to give you hope,” he added.

 

He assured that the military and police would also be deployed to maintain peace and order in typhoon-hit provinces amid reports of looting caused by lack of food and other basic supplies.

 

“We will work. Even the military and police. They will stay put to prevent trouble. So that there would be discipline, and everyone would receive aid,” he said.

 

Duterte also assured victims that he has raised PHP10 billion for disaster response.

 

“I have raised PHP10 billion for the people. It does not include everything, but this amount is from my office. It is different from the assistance from agencies. This is only so that money could be distributed to communities so they can recover,” he said.

 

He apologized anew for delays in the distribution of aid, noting paperwork took time and funds were depleted.

 

“To be honest, we are also having a difficult time because of the so many places scattered around,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, he also confirmed that he would travel to Cebu to hold a command conference with security forces.

 

“I am going to Cebu to hold a meeting there. I summoned top officials in the military and police to give them instructions,” he added.

 

Duterte previously visited Maasin, Leyte; Inabanga, Bohol; Argao, Cebu; and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Siargao Island, and Dinagat Island to meet local officials and personally distribute relief assistance to those displaced by the typhoon. (PNA)

 

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How about placing all cables in the ground ?

"I am going to visit a lot of places where people are hungry and sick,” 

 

just when they thought the calamity could not get any worse...

On 12/25/2021 at 6:53 AM, Destiny1990 said:

How about placing all cables in the ground ?

That's very expensive. Better spending the money elsewhere.

20 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That's very expensive. Better spending the money elsewhere.

I think cables underground is money well spend. 

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

I think cables underground is money well spend. 

Cheaper to put the poles up again, than bury the wires, which is why wires are not buried almost everywhere except large cities.

It's unusual to have an event that makes poles fall over.