Ilagan City, Isabela
October 23, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the ceremonial distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and relief goods to the families affected by Super Typhoon Lawin at Barangay Alibagu in Ilagan City, Isabela.

In his keynote address, the President talked about his recent trip to China that reaped an estimate of US$24 billion commitment from its government, and how he plans to allocate this in next year’s national budget. Assuring the people that the US$16 billion of the pledged monetary support is solely dedicated for government spending, President Duterte said that among the top beneficiaries of the said budget would be in the sectors of agriculture, education and health.

“…Aabot yan ng almost more than half a trillion peso… I can assure you dito sa gobyerno, yang trillion na yan kung madating, will be used precisely and entirely for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he said.

President Duterte added that he has plans to revive the Botika ng Bayan and has ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to apportion its proceeds for the people’s medical prescriptions.

“So ganito, pagka-dumating yung aid, at sana nama’y, I’m sure it’s coming our way, binibilisan yan, there will be a distribution… Yung ibang napinsala, konti-konti na lang, pero by next year, I promise you, kayo ang mauna,” he stated.

Super Typhoon Lawin, named internationally as Haima, made landfall in Peñablanca, Cagayan on the evening of October 19, 2016 with maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers per hour (kph) and wind gusts of up to 315 kph. It was also said to be the first occurrence of a signal number 5 typhoon in the areas of Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte.

*  *  *