President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of more than PHP50 million worth of government assistance to communities in Catanduanes after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).

During the ceremony at the Virac Sports Complex, Marcos handed over a check amounting to PHP50 million in cash assistance from the Office of the President to the provincial government of Catanduanes.

Likewise, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food packs to the typhoon victims worth more than PHP600,000 and cash aid worth PHP2.5 million.

In his speech, Marcos assured the evacuees of continued supply of family food packs.

“Lahat po ng nasa evacuation center na hindi pa makauwi ay binibigyan po namin hangga’t kailangan niyo. Walang deadline po ito. Hangga’t kailangan ninyo na magkaroon pa ng food pack, magpapadala pa rin kami ng patuloy na pagpadala ng food pack (We’re giving food packs to everyone in the evacuation center who could not go home yet, for as long as you need it. It has no limit. So long as you need more food packs, we will continue to send food packs),” he said.

Aside from relief goods, hygiene and medical kits are also being given, the Chief Executive said.

He assured the evacuees of continued government support for their recovery.

Before the aid distribution, the President conducted an aerial inspection of the province to assess the extent of damage in areas where the super typhoon made landfall on Nov. 16. (PNA)