TYPHOON AID. A wing van of the Ilocos Norte provincial government containing donations. A total of PHP3 million from the province's donation account has been committed to at least six provinces hit hard by Typhoon Odette. (Contributed file photo) LAOAG CITY - Financial and in-kind donations from the people of Ilocos Norte are underway to assist provinces in Visayas and Mindanao hit hard by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. Ilocos Norte provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate said PHP3 million from the provincial government of Ilocos Norte's donation account under the regular budget has been committed for Cebu, Guimaras, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Surigao del Sur. "This is part of our governor's commitment to helping typhoon victims in areas under state of calamity," she said in a phone interview Monday. "The north stands with you," a wing van of the Ilocos Norte government containing the first batch of grocery items, used clothing, wate
(File photo) MANILA - The government has administered around 2.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine during the second "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" drive from Dec. 15 to 18, a Department of Health (DOH) official reported Monday. In a televised Laging Handa public briefing, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the administered vaccines do not include 639 local government units (LGUs) in Mimaropa, Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas) and Caraga where inoculation activities were cancelled due to Typhoon Odette. "Pag-iibayuhin iyong NCR, CAR, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, ituluy-tuloy pa rin iyong bakunahan. Tapos uumpisahan na po iyong sa mga naudlot sa Region 5, Mimaropa, Regions 6, 7, 8 and Caraga (The vaccination activities will continue in National Capital Region, Cordillera Admnistrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A. Then, the postponed inoculation activities in Region 5, Mimaropa, Region 6, 7, 8 and Caraga will be started again)," Cabotaje said.
(DA file photo) MANILA - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will assist farmers and fisherfolk in areas affected by Typhoon Odette using PHP852.47 standby funds. The budget includes PHP500 million Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation of affected areas; PHP148-million worth of rice seeds; PHP57.6-million worth of corn seeds; PHP44.6-million worth of assorted vegetables; and PHP100 million under the Survival and Recovery Assistance Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will also provide PHP164 million worth of fingerlings and assistance while PHP625,150 worth of drugs and biologics will be provided for livestock and poultry needs. DA also announced that there are available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to indemnify affected farmers. The agency continues to conduct assessment of damage and losses brought by "Odette" in the agri-fisheries sector. It coordinates with concerned national governme