Virac, Catanduanes – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. visited Catanduanes on November 19, 2024, to provide financial assistance to 500 households whose homes were damaged by Super Typhoon Pepito. In addition, he personally distributed essential relief supplies – the DSWD Family Food Packs (FFPs), to 1,000 families severely affected by the typhoon’s devastation.

Each affected household received Php5,000 through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program. In total, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region disbursed Php3,210,000 worth of assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the relief operations at the Virac Sports Complex.

In his address, President Marcos Jr. reassured the public that the government, through the DSWD, would continue to provide support until the affected families fully recover from the aftermath of Typhoon Pepito, particularly through the ongoing distribution of Family Food Packs.

“Noong umiikot kami [Aerial Inspection], nakita namin ang sitwasyon ninyo. Kaya’t nandito po kami para magbigay ng tulong. Ang mga relief goods na ito ay may lamang pagkain, at sa bawat isang kahon, makakatagal nang halos tatlong araw. Kaya ang lahat ng nasa evacuation centers na hindi pa makakauwi ay bibigyan namin nito. Hangga’t kailangan ninyo magpapadala pa rin kami. Kasunod nito, nandito po ang AICS payout dahil may mga pangangailangan na hindi lamang pagkain, kaya meron din po tayong cash assistance,” the President stated.

The President also emphasized the urgent need for the reconstruction of government offices and public buildings that were damaged by the powerful typhoon to ensure uninterrupted delivery of public services.

In an interview with one of the beneficiaries, Celia Sarhento from Barangay Francia in Virac, who received food packs handed out by the President, expressed her deep gratitude for the relief efforts led by the DSWD and under the directives of President Marcos Jr.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pangulo at sa DSWD sa mga ibinigay na tulong at kabutihan matapos ang bagyo. Kaya maraming salamat talaga, at thank you din kay Lord,” she said.

Currently, the DSWD, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian and in line with President Marcos Jr.’s directives, continues to carry out disaster relief operations in the Province of Catanduanes, providing immediate aid to impacted families and ensuring that no one is left behind.