Borongan City, Eastern Samar
22 December 2014

Following his visit to Dolores town, President Benigno S. Aquino III flew to Borongan City to launch the Early Recovery Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Assisted by DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, President Aquino handed over a cheque amounting to P68 million to Borongan City Mayor Fe Abunda. With this financial assistance, 17,457 family-beneficiaries will receive P260 each for 15 working days.

They also distributed shelter fixing kits to selected beneficiaries. Each kit contains common nails, umbrella nails, rope and tie wire.

In his keynote address, the President stressed on government’s efforts prior to Typhoon Ruby’s landfall. “Sa mabuting pamamahala at maigting na paghahanda, maraming kababayan natin ang nailayo sa peligrong dulot ng Bagyong Ruby,” he said.

A total of 146,875 families underwent pre-emptive evacuation, while 318,532 family food packs costing P110.4 million were already reserved in DSWD’s regional offices.

On the aftermath of the typhoon, immediate response was rendered in all affected areas. Relief operations continue as government progresses to deliver early recovery and rehabilitation. In Borongan alone, 18,609 family food packs were already distributed to typhoon victims.

“Makakaasa po kayo: Patuloy pa nating susubaybayan ang mga operasyon ng gobyerno upang mapabilis ang panunumbalik sa mas mabuti pa sa normal ng mga apektadong komunidad,” he added.

Borongan City is the provincial capital of Eastern Samar, geographically situated along the northern banks of Lo-om River. Due to strong rains brought by Typhoon Ruby, the river overflowed and caused massive flooding in the area.

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