(Eagle News Service) — Malacañang said the government has enough additional funds from the 2014 national budget and from the proposed 2015 national expenditure program to augment assistance in areas affected by Typhoon ‘Ruby’.
Based on initial reports, the town of Dolores in Eastern Samar was the worst hit by Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) where it had made its first landfall on Saturday, December 6.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the declaration in a press briefing in Malacanang.
“Meron po tayong sapat na pondo mula sa 2014 national budget, at meron din po sa 2015 proposed National Expenditure Program, na ngayon po ay dinidinig sa Kongreso,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace.
The Office of Civil Defense has estimated damages to farms in the Bicol region at P90.46 million.
Typhoon ‘Ruby’ made its first landfall in Dolores, Eastern Samar at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, then passed through Masbate, Sibuyan Island, Romblon and Tablas Island on Sunday, and Oriental Mindoro on Monday.
“Yung visible damage po doon ay parang ‘yung naging damage sa Panay ‘nung dumaan ang bagyong Yolanda,” she said, noting that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has begun conducting aerial inspections to see the extent of damage caused by the typhoon.
The national government frontline team, she said, had begun relief distribution in Eastern Samar. (with a PND report)
