MANILA – First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos visited Talisay, Batangas, on Sunday to comfort the families of those who died during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
She distributed aid to the families through her program Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat (LAB for ALL).
Families of 61 individuals who perished from the landslides and flooding caused by Kristine benefited from the First Lady’s program, which was supported by the private group DigiPlus Interactive. The group provided food and non-food items to the families who lost their loved ones in Talisay, Batangas.
Each family received a sack of 25-kilo rice, 6.6 liters of water, a medical kit, a “Nanay’s kit,” large and medium grocery boxes, and family food packs.
Mrs. Marcos was accompanied by DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Diana Rose Cajipe, Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma, and DSWD-Calabarzon Regional Director Barry Chua. Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, and Talisay Mayor Nestor Natanauan also participated in the activity.
Meanwhile, the DSWD stated that the government would continue to assist citizens affected by recent calamities until they fully recover.
“Katulad po ng laging binabanggit ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ang ating pamahalaan ay handang tumulong hanggang kayo po ay muling makabangon at makabalik sa inyong normal na pamumuhay,” said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, whose message was read by Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez during the ceremony. (“As our dear President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. always says, our government is ready to help until you recover and return to your normal life.”)
The agency highlighted the vital partnership between the national government, local government units, and the private sector—especially DigiPlus Interactive—in providing assistance to the bereaved families.
DigiPlus Interactive, led by Chairperson Eusebio Tangco, announced that the group would also provide cash assistance to the grieving families to help with burial expenses and the rebuilding of their damaged homes.
Each of the bereaved families had already received PHP10,000 in burial assistance from the DSWD during the visit of President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian on Nov. 4. (PNA)