Speedy gov’t assistance for Ambo-hit folks sought
Manila, Philippines — The national fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Friday urged the government to immediately help families affected and displaced by Typhoon Ambo that has already made a land fall in the Bicol, Samar, and Southern Tagalog regions.
“Fisherfolk and farmer families were forced to vacate communities and seek shelter in evacuation areas. Local and national governments must be prepared in providing assistance to the affected families to ensure that the natural calamity will not worsen the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
PAMALAKAYA added that personal protective equipment (PPE) and multivitamins must also be provided to the affected families as part of health safety measures especially that they are exposed to risky evacuation centers. There should also be available health workers in evacuation centers to regularly monitor the health status of the evacuees.
“We call for a speedy government support in a form of economic subsidy and relief aid. Aside from relief goods containing basic necessities, the evacuees must also be provided with PPEs and adequate health services to protect them against any possible virus disease,” ended Hicap. ###
