Press Release
July 8, 2008

HELP AKLAN - REVILLA

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. today appealed to the National Government to extend immediate assistance to the typhoon-ravaged Province of Aklan in Region 6. The Senator made this call after personally visiting the Province and checking on the residents there.

"I am so shocked at the condition of the Province and our kababayans here. It's like a ghost town where time has taken to a halt and with spirits wandering aimlessly and without purpose," Revilla said. "Aklan has become so desolate and isolated from civilization that we in Manila do not realize how bad the situation here is," he added.

Revilla brought with him over a million pesos worth of relief goods consisting of rice, canned goods and instant noodles, which he, after personally seeing the extent of typhoon Frank's effects, admitted to be very insufficient.

The Senator noted that residents are now fighting and resorting to violence just to get their hands on food and water which is now at a very scarce level. "Just two days ago, a farmer hacked a rice trader with as bolo just to get some rice for his family. Everyone is becoming desperate," Revilla said.

According to the DPWH Regional Office for Region 6, damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the Province is projected to reach 7 billion pesos.

Revilla, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, meanwhile gave instructions to the DPWH to extend all necessary assistance and exert all efforts to clear the roadways, and to expedite the restoration of electricity and communication services in the Province. Majority of Aklan's roads are buried in 2 to 3 feet deep of mud, and majority of the Province has been without electricity for the past 2 weeks already.

The Senator also expressed his alarm over the possible implications of the calamity on the health of locals. Because of the terrible sanitary conditions due to lack of water and adequate supplies and sewage services, Revilla is afraid that cases of cholera, typhoid and diarrhea may rise at epidemic levels. Already, 3 cases of deaths caused by leptospirosis have been reported.

"Typhoon Frank have claimed over 50 lives, and have injured more than 400 here in Aklan. We should not allow these numbers to rise by turning a blind eye. I am appealing to the National Government to extend their support," Revilla appealed. "Our kababayans badly need food, clean water, and blankets. Because the mud is drying up, they also need masks to fend off against dust storms."

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