Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker, Loren Legarda provided financial aid as immediate assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

       Legarda whose home province, Antique, was also among the provinces that sustained damage due to the recent typhoon, extended her help to Negros Occidental, Cebu,  Bohol, Southern Leyte, Palawan, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, while also helping communities in her province by providing food packs and construction materials, from personal family resources as national government funds seemed longer to arrive.

        “Nakakalungkot na isiping nataon pang magpa-Pasko at bagong taon ng tayo ay hagupitin ng bagyong Odette. My province is also among the affected areas, and our neighboring provinces in Visayas, as well as in the Southern Part of Luzon and in Mindanao, were also severely damaged and have recorded casualties. In these trying times, our fellow Filipinos count on quick action and immediate response,” Legarda said.

        “Kaisa ng aking pamilya, minabuti po naming magpaabot ng financial assistance upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga LGUs na gamitin ang halagang ito sa kung ano sa tingin nila ang higit na kailangan ng mga tao sa kanilang mga lokalidad,” Legarda explained.

       The three-term Senator recently turned over cash assistance to the Province of Negros Occidental; Negros Occidental 4th, 5th, and 6th districts; Kabankalan City; Sipalay City; Province of Cebu; Cebu 2nd and 5th districts; Liloan, Mandaue City,  LapuLapu City, Talisay City; Cebu City; Municipality of Consolacion; Province of Bohol; Bohol 1st, 2nd, and 3rd districts; and Tagbilaran City.

       Legarda’s office continues to provide financial aid even during the holidays and among the recipients were Del Carmen and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; Dinagat Island; municipality of Roxas and the 3rd district in Palawan, and Southern Leyte.

        “Hindi nagtatapos sa Pasko ang ating pagpapaabot ng tulong; we will continue to coordinate with provinces and LGUs for us to know what help we can provide.  Patuloy din po tayong mag-bibigay ng tulong sa abot ng aking makakaya upang masiguro na walang mapag-iiwanan sa ating unti-unting pagbangon,” Legarda concluded.