Malacañang assured the public that it is ready to provide immediate relief to families and communities ravaged by Typhoon ‘Ambo’ (international name Vongfong). Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave the guarantee that the national government is ready to handle ng impact of the tropical storm as he addressed the hard-hit victim of ‘Ambo’.
“Sa ngayon po, nakikiramay po tayo at nakikiisa po doon sa dinaanan ng bagyong Ambo. Laging handa naman po tayo sa ganitong mga sakuna, at laging handa po tayo, lalung-lalo na sa mga bagyo,” the spokesperson said.
[We extend our sympathies to victims of Typhoon Ambo. We are always ready to handle disasters and typhoons.]
Thousands were displaced, residential houses and some commercial establishments were destroyed, and power lines were cut resulting in several power outages in hard-hit areas as Ambo brought moderate to heavy rains in Bicol, Samar, and Southern Tagalog regions. The agriculture sector sustained the most damages from the heavy rains and strong, destructive winds.
The national fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) has called on the government to immediately assist and provide relief to families affected and displaced by Typhoon Ambo. In a statement, they urged the administration to strengthen their COVID-19 response as this typhoon will likely weaken the immune system of victims while they are exposed in crowded evacuation centers.
“We call for speedy government support in the form of economic subsidy and relief aid. Aside from relief goods containing basic necessities, the evacuees must also be provided with PPEs and adequate health services to protect them against any possible virus disease,” the group iterated.
Ambo, the first typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on May 18, Monday afternoon.
