Following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the administration’s on-ground relief operations for typhoon-affected communities in Negros on Tuesday, 11 November.

Representing the President in coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in the Negros Island Region, Secretary Frasco announced that P95 million in immediate financial assistance will be allocated to support rehabilitation efforts in the province. This includes P50 million for Negros Occidental, P10 million each for La Carlota City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla, and P5 million each for Binalbagan, Isabela and Hinigaran.

Secretary Frasco delivered a message during the ceremonial distribution in La Carlota City.

“We hope that through the President’s act of sending his Cabinet members, you will remember that you are not alone in your hardship. The national government is here, together with your local government, from the province to the local level. All government agencies are here to help you until the time you are able to rise again.”

Throughout the day, the Cabinet members facilitated the distribution of family food packs, family kits, and hygiene kits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to families across evacuation centers and municipalities. The Department of Health also turned over 100 jerrycans and medicine boxes, while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development provided 25 shelter-grade tarpaulins to each locality.

On-ground monitoring and inspections

Secretary Frasco visited hard-hit infrastructure sites and residential areas to assess typhoon damage and identify priority areas for government assistance. She coordinated with local officials on ongoing repair efforts, including the Biao spillway in Binalbagan, a key access route for barangays and a tourism road.

The team also inspected the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School, which suffered ceiling-high flood damage, and met with officials at Barangay Poblacion in Moises Padilla and the collapsed Buhangin River “Wipe-Out Bridge” in La Castellana, to determine funding priorities for restoring access, connectivity, and community welfare during the harvest and milling season.