The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution expressing compassion, solidarity, support, and empathy to the 2.4 million Filipinos affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
According to House Resolution 504, the chamber collectively and individually provided relief and rehabilitation in the storm-affected areas, including individual pledges for the purpose of providing financial and other kinds of assistance.
The resolution was authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.
“The House of Representatives stands in solidarity with the victims at this trying time and assures Filipinos that it is ready and willing to provide any assistance necessary to alleviate the suffering of those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng and aid them as they struggle to overcome this calamity,” they said in the resolution.
Leaders and members of the House mounted a relief and rehabilitation drive for the victims of the severe tropical storm generating around PHP75 million worth of donations.
The chamber also adopted House Resolution 505, expressing its profound condolences to the bereaved families of those who died during Paeng’s onslaught.
“The House of Representatives commiserates with and offers its collective effort and initiatives to comfort and help the bereaved families who are left behind so they can move on with their lives and start anew,” the resolution read.
“The numerous loss of lives, the extensive damage to government infrastructure and private properties, and the adverse impact caused by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng to the livelihood of the people who are still reeling from the vestiges of the COVID-19 pandemic, call for immediate assistance from the government and the private sector to support the recovery and rehabilitation of the affected areas and people,” it added.
Latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said damage to agriculture and infrastructure by the recent Severe Tropical Storm Paeng is now at PHP7.3 billion.
The number of casualties also climbed to 156 which is greater than the number of deaths caused by Typhoon Ulysses in 2020. (PNA)
