CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- President Rodrigo Duterte has heaped praises on Isabela disaster-risk reduction officials and leaders for attaining zero-casualty when Typhoon Ompong hit northern Philippines last Saturday.
“I was almost exhilarated from this piece of good news. Zero-casualty is a welcome news,” the Chief Executive said in a situational briefing at the Isabela provincial capitol’s Balay na Isabela building late Tuesday afternoon.
“Buhay talaga ang mahalaga (Life is really important),” he added.
The President also reiterated his plan to build gymnasium-like evacuation centers in storm-prone provinces and cities in the country.
“Schools are the usual refuge of the evacuees. I reiterate the use of exclusive storm-refuge gymnasiums,” he said.
Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino said Isabela’s disaster preparedness must be emulated in other typhoon-prone areas.
“They issued satellite phones, which helped in preparing people even in the coastal towns of Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan and Dinapigue,” he said.
Isabela province was placed under a state of calamity on Monday following the assessment of at least PHP3.6-billion damage to agriculture and infrastructure by Typhoon Ompong. The provincial board members unanimously approved the declaration through a resolution under suspended rules.
President Duterte, after the situational briefing, awarded a hand tractor to a local cooperative and later presided the ceremonial turnover of surrendered guns and giving of assistance to rebel surrenderees at the Camp Melchor Dela Cruz of the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu town. (PNA)
