Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has pledged to fast-track government assistance and relief efforts in communities affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao, emphasizing the urgent need to support families displaced by the disaster.
In a media interview at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, General Santos City on Wednesday, June 24, the senator said that he will personally ensure the swift delivery of critical relief, rehabilitation, and recovery assistance to the affected communities.
“Andito tayo para marinig ang daing, makapaghatid ng assistance. Di kayo pinababayaan ng national government. At makakaasa kayo na kaya nating lampasan ang anumang pagsubok basta nagtutulong-tulong tayo,” Pangilinan stated on the sidelines of the distribution of relief aid.
“Direkta nating kakausapin ang mga Cabinet secretaries ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), NHA (National Housing Authority), at DHSUD (Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development) para mapabilis pa ang suporta sa ating mga kababayan sa GenSan,” he added.
The senator facilitated the delivery and distribution of food packs from the DSWD on Wednesday.
Pangilinan, who has proposed an additional P15 billion in funding for relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts in the region, said that his visit to the province and meetings with local government officials aim to identify the needs of the communities.
He pointed out that with the end of the leadership deadlock in the Senate, the chamber held a special session last week to pass a resolution for the immediate release of assistance needed by General Santos City, Sarangani Province, Davao Oriental, and other parts of Mindanao affected by the quake.
The senator vowed to reach out to key national government agencies to ensure Mindanao gets the help it needs, and to raise the issue during budget deliberations later this year if the agencies fail to deliver aid.
“Pagka hindi nila inaksyunan ang ating hiling ngayon, alam nilang sisingilin ko sila pagdating ng budget at baka pa sabihin ko, ‘Wala, hindi ako papayag na aprubahan ang budget ninyo dahil sa hindi kayo umaksyon nang mabilis’,” he said in a speech in Barangay Calumpang.
Mindanao was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake on June 8, with the death toll reaching 78 people, while some 1.5 million people were affected. More than a billion worth of infrastructure damage has also been recorded.