Press Release
October 1, 2009

REVILLA ASKS COLLEAGUES TO ALLOCATE 10M PESOS EACH FOR TYPHOON VICTIMS, CHALLENGES PRESIDENTIABLES

After Senators have allocated 1 million pesos each for the relief operations of Ondoy victims, Senator Bong Revilla today asked his colleagues to increase the amount to 10 million pesos each. Revilla made the call after personally conducting relief operations through his Kaagapay sa Araw ng Pangangailangan (KAP) program, saying that victims are still in dire need of assistance to get themselves back on their feet.

To make things worse, according to the Senator, a super typhoon has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour. Revilla said that if Pepeng makes landfall with this strength, its effects make be worse than what was brought by typhoon Milenyo in 2006.

"Our people have yet to get back on their feet from the deluge brought by Ondoy, and now, we are being threatened by Pepeng. According to PAGASA, it will bring very strong winds and we are still uncertain of the amount of rains it will bring," said Revilla. "Our drainage systems are still clogged and our floodways are still full because of Ondoy. Our streets are still littered with garbage as a result of the destruction, and this strong typhoon will complicate things. This is why we need to allocate more funds," he added.

To back up his call, the Senator has already allocated ten million pesos to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and more from his personal funds to direct assistance for victims. "If needed, we should even allocate more than this," the senator added.

While recognizing the efforts of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Local Governments, and all Filipinos in the ongoing relief efforts, Revilla said that due to the sheer number of affected families and individuals, a lot is still left to be done.

This is why the senator also issued a challenge to all presidentiables and potential candidates to divert their advertising expenses to relief efforts. He cited that up to now, infomercials are still abound and it would be more prudent to put a stop to them and instead channel the resources to help the hundreds of thousands of victims. "In these times of dire need, everyone should be wise in how resources are spent. We should practice bayanihan in its purest spirit. Mas mapapakinabangan ang milyun-milyong piso kung derecho itong ibibigay sa tao."

Meanwhile, the Senator asked government and everyone to be ready for Pepeng. "The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should expedite its efforts in clearing up streets and waterways. All billboards must be put down, and more evacuation centers should be readied. While we are all busy with the effects of Ondoy, we must brace ourselves for what is to come. All precautionary measures must be put in place to mitigate Pepeng's effects if it indeed makes landfall. " Revilla ended.

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