President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally visited severely affected communities in Negros Occidental on Saturday to assess the damage caused by Typhoon Tino and announced an initial allocation of PhP95 million for local recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The President’s visit underscored the government’s commitment to providing immediate assistance to families and communities displaced by the typhoon.
During his inspection, President Marcos surveyed critical areas in Moises Padilla and La Castellana. He personally inspected the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School (JPMGS NHS) in Moises Padilla, where floodwaters had submerged most classrooms, affecting the learning continuity of 1,257 enrolled students.
Moises Padilla Public Schools District Supervisor Gideon Panganiban and JPMGS NHS Principal Mary Grace Ynion expressed their profound gratitude and emotion upon the President’s arrival.
“Para sa amin dito sa DepEd Moises Padilla, napakasuwerte namin. Sa akin, bihira lang ‘yung Presidente ng bansa na makapunta sa lugar na ganito,” Panganiban said. Principal Ynion added, “I never imagined na makikita ko po si PBBM sa ganitong sitwasyon. Blessed po kami kasi makikita po namin siya.”
The President also visited affected residents in Barangay Poblacion to assess damaged houses and checked on the 307 families (1,117 individuals) currently taking shelter at the La Castellana Elementary School (LCES) evacuation center.
Critical infrastructure damage was also noted, including the collapse of the Bungahin Steel Bridge in Barangay Robles, La Castellana, which has severely cut off access between upland communities and the town proper.
Following the site inspections, the President convened a situation briefing at the La Castellana Municipal Hall with key Cabinet members from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Department of Energy (DOE), alongside local officials.
To expedite recovery, President Marcos announced the immediate distribution of PhP95 million in financial aid for the hardest-hit towns:
- PhP50 million for the Province of Negros Occidental.
- PhP10 million each for La Carlota City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.
- PhP5 million each for Binalbagan, Isabela, and Hinigaran.
The government is prioritizing the restoration of vital services, housing repair, and the transition back to normal schooling for affected students through continuous alternative delivery modes.
