TYPHOON AID. President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd from right) leads the ceremonial turnover of 10,450 family food packs worth PHP5.7 million provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to typhoon-hit areas in southern Negros Occidental during his visit to Kabankalan City on Monday afternoon (Dec. 21, 2021). He is joined by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go (3rd from right), Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left), Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista (3rd from left) and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (2nd from left). (Photo courtesy of DSWD-Western Visayas) BACOLOD CITY - Local government units (LGUs) in southern Negros areas that were badly hit by Typhoon Odette last week, are expected to receive more assistance from the national government after President Rodrigo Duterte's visit on Monday afternoon. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who met the Chief Executive in Kabankalan City, said on Tuesday that Duterte's presence showed his sincerity in helping Negros Occidental. "Just to show you how serious the President was, he brought an all-star cast of Cabinet secretaries," Lacson said in a radio interview. Duterte, together with Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, arrived at the Kabankalan City Hall at around 5 p.m. and was joined by Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Trade and Industry Ramon Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. "Even though Negros Occidental was not highlighted (in national news), why is it that the President is still here? It means, the more important information reached him. What's important is it reached the national government, not always on national TV. What's important is the President came to us. That Negros Occidental is not neglected," the governor said. Duterte was briefed on the post-typhoon assessment in a meeting attended by Lacson, Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr., and at least 10 other mayors, as well as Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. Lacson said although the President admitted that the national government's financial resources are close to being depleted considering that it is almost the end of the year, he assured the Negrense officials that he would look for funds to assist them. "He is trying to raise PHP10 billion, but this is already for all victims of Typhoon Odette. He mentioned PHP2 billion for Western Visayas. We hope he will succeed in looking for that fund," he added. The governor said the provincial government will also avail of the shelter program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Negrenses who lost their homes during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. In the same venue, Duterte also led the ceremonial turnover of 10,450 family food packs (FFPs) worth PHP5.7 million provided by the DSWD to the typhoon-hit areas. The recipients included Kabankalan City, which received 1,500 FFPs; Bago City, 2,000; Ilog, 3,100; Sipalay City, 1,400; Cauayan, 900; San Enrique, 550; Candoni, 400; Hinobaan, 300; and Himamaylan City, 300. (PNA) }