Press Release
October 16, 2009

CHIZ CALLS FOR GOV'T TO ASSIST RELIEF AGENCIES

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero is asking the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Philippine Coast Guard to help in the reconstruction efforts in the isolated island towns in Luzon so that relief agencies can provide more food and medicines to stranded residents.

Escudero made this appeal following news reports that the Mayor of Calayan Island has warned about a possible food shortage problem in his town. Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis also mentioned Fuga, Babuyan Claro, and Batanes as areas where food has been dwindling because of the devastation brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

"This is another concern that the government must address. It is necessary for us to act on their pleas immediately. The Mayor told the media that the shortest access to the mainland was about 16 hours. By that time they get back, many people could have already died from hunger," he pointed out.

The Engineering Brigade of the Armed Forces along with the Bureau of Equipment of DPWH must be on top of this and help various relief agencies and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to distribute more aid for the residents. He said that Cagayan province has also taken a hit from the typhoons and they can only do so much for these islands.

Mayor Llopis also reported that P50 million worth of damage to property and agriculture were recorded in the aftermath of Pepeng. "The central office of the Department of Agriculture must also coordinate with local officials in these areas to immediately provide them with the necessary

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