GEN. TRIAS, Cavite — Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday joined Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., in a relief operations here and in Imus City.

Duterte and Revilla visited the distribution of food packages to some 3,000 people affected by the typhoon in this town, and some 2,500 others in Imus City.

Barela Colina, a market vendor and one of the 3,000 beneficiaries in this town, said her house was among those damaged by Typhoon Paeng.

“Maraming, maraming salamat (sa ayuda) dahil talagang natibag yung pader sa likod ng bahay namin,” she said.

Felix Sarte, 67, a retired government employee, also thanked the relief operation efforts extended to them in Imus City.

“Malaking bagay po ito para sa amin na nabahaan dahil kami ay nalubog po sa pagbaha. Hanggang dibdib ang baha kaya nagpapasalamat kami na dumating dito si Vice President Sara Duterte, Senador Bong Revilla at ang buong pamahalaan ng Imus, Cavite. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” Sarte said.

Duterte, in her message to residents, said it was inevitable for the country to experience typhoons annually.

“Ang aking paalala po sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin, yun pong bagyo hindi na po mawawala sa ating bansa yan. Lagi po yan dadaan, A-Z ang pangalan. Taon-taon dadaan, merong malalakas na bagyo, merong mahina. Ang problema ay hindi natin nape-predict kung saan dadaan at minsan mahina sya, pagpasok niya biglang lumalakas pagdumaan na sa taas natin,” she said.

But the Vice President said that despite being challenged by this unavoidable situations, Filipinos can prepare, building houses that can withstand typhoons, earthquakes, and strong winds.

“Dapat po sa paggawa ng ating mga bahay, inaalala natin at pinag-aaralan natin ang tubig-baha at ang posibleng lakas ng hangin na dala ng isang bagyo,” she said.

“Kaya po kapag tayo ay nag-design at nag-iisip kung saan natin ilalagay ang ating mga bahay ay iniisip din natin ang tubig baha, lindol, at hangin dala ng bagyo,” she added.

Duterte also underscored the significance of choosing the right place to build a house.

“Dapat ay maging resilient ang pag-iisip natin kung saan tayo maninirahan at saan tayo maglalagay ng ating mga bahay at kung anong klaseng disenyo ng bahay ang gagawin natin,” she said.

OVP MEDIA