CEBU City, Feb. 25 (PNA) — President Benigno Aquino III visited Bantayan island in northern Cebu, one of the worst hit areas by Typhoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, in line with the commemoration of the 28th EDSA People Power Revolution on Tuesday.
One of the highlights of the President’s visit in the island was the inspection of the 100 motorized and non-motorized bancas donated for fishermen whose boats were destroyed by the typhoon last year.
These boats came from different non-government organizations including Gawad Kalinga and the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Inc, among others.
The President also witnessed the turnover of checks worth more than Php5M under the cash-for-work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 2,200 beneficiaries. He was assisted by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman during the turnover.
This was the first time President Aquino visited the island following the recent calamities.
In an interview at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, the President denied reports that Bantayan island has yet to get any help from the national government in terms of relief and rehabilitation.
“Malabo naman yatang sabihin walang dumating. Papunta kami ng Bantayan ngayon. Siguro kung matindi ang galit sa akin nun hindi na ako pupunta ng Bantayan, di ba?” he said before going to Bantayan island following the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The President noted that from January to March of 2014, the government has distributed close to 7,000 food packs for 3,476 affected families.
He also warned against those who reportedly failed to deliver relief goods coming from the national government saying that they will be held responsible if proven guilty.
For the rehabilitation of Bantayan, the President said that the island needs a total of 191-million funding for some 253 classrooms, three rural health units, multi-purpose, barangay halls and one public market.
The President also would want to make sure that structures to be rebuilt in Bantayan will be more resilient to typhoons and earthquakes. (PNA)