Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 29) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the government will provide both cash assistance and housing materials to residents whose homes were damaged by Super Typhoon Egay.
He made the statement during his visit to Ilocos Norte, where he met with local officials from the entire Ilocos Region to be briefed about the storm’s impact on the area.
During a televised situation briefing, Marcos’ nephew Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc suggested that the distribution of housing materials be prioritized, saying this will be a faster way to rebuild homes. Financial assistance can come at a later time, he added.
\”We’ll do both,\” the president responded.
\”The reason that we give cash very soon after is because there are things that people need that are not included in the relief goods, for example medicines or baby care,\” Marcos noted.
He said ₱10,000 will be given to families whose houses were partially destroyed. Those with totally damaged homes will receive ₱20,000.
Marcos first visited Abra on Saturday before his trip to Ilocos Norte. Both provinces are under a state of calamity due to the super typhoon.
Speaking to residents in Bangued town, Marcos assured them that officials are working to restore basic services, including power supply that has been disrupted in a number of areas.
\”Maganda naman ang ugnayan ng national at local (officials), kaya’t sa palagay ko sa lalong madaling panahon, maibabalik na natin lahat ng serbisyong kinakailangan,\” he said during the distribution of government aid in the municipality.
[Translation: National and local officials are coordinating well, so I think the necessary services will soon be restored.]
Shortly after his Ilocos Norte visit, Marcos also traveled to nearby Tuguegarao City in Cagayan to check the situation in the area.
Egay made two landfalls over Cagayan as a typhoon on Wednesday after it was downgraded from super typhoon category.
