The government remains steadfast in helping communities recover from the damage caused by typhoons, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

In his speech, President Marcos hoped normalcy would return as soon as possible.

“Talaga pong nagpupursige tayo na maibalik sa normal ang kondisyon, sa lalong madaling panahon, ang mga nasirang tahanan, imprastraktura, at kabuhayan nitong bagyo,” the President said during the distribution of Presidential Assistance in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The President said frequent natural disasters are not new to the Philippines due to climate change. He stressed the need for a more detailed and proactive approach to minimize the impact of storms.

“Kaya kailangan nating gumawa ng masusi at maagap na solusyon upang hindi na muling mangyari ang ganito kalaking pinsalang dala ng mga bagyo,” the President said.

“Nagbigay ako ng direktiba sa bawat ahensya ng gobyerno na gumawa ng mga stratehiyang akma sa ating pangmalawakang matinding pagbaha at maiwasan na ang ganyang klaseng baha sa kabila ng inaasahang pagbabago ng panahon,” he added.

President Marcos reiterated his order to review the revival of the Bicol River Basin Development Program.

The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) completed the update of the Master Plan and Feasibility Study for the Bicol River Basin in July this year.

The Detailed Engineering Design is expected to commence by the first quarter next year.

During the event, a total of 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk from 15 identified municipalities in Camarines Sur received cash assistance from the Office of the President (OP). Each of the beneficiaries got P10,000. | PND