The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, reassured the public on Monday that the agency, in collaboration with various government bodies and uniformed services, is actively working to support the victims of Super Typhoon “Julian” in Batanes, which is currently under a state of calamity due to the storm's devastating impact.
“We remain committed to assisting the affected communities in Batanes as they recover from Super Typhoon ‘Julian.’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and our NDRRMC Chair, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, are closely monitoring the situation and guiding response efforts to address the aftermath of this disaster,” stated Usec. Nepomuceno.
On October 3, 2024, Usec. Nepomuceno, alongside Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Usec. Diana Rose Cajipe and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Usec. Randy Escolango, conducted an aerial inspection of Batanes and met with Governor Marilou Cayco to assess the ground situation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived the following day for a meeting with local government officials to further evaluate the province’s needs. National government officials were directed to collaborate on enhancing rehabilitation efforts.
During the briefing, Sec. Teodoro assured that construction materials would be provided to families whose homes were damaged. This commitment came in response to the President's concerns regarding the availability of materials for reconstruction in the province.
“Materials and potable water is the number one, sir, that is required. So Ariel [Nepomuceno] will coordinate as he has been coordinating the logistical priorities of what has to be brought in. But for materials, for the north is here with the Chief of Staff, they can prioritize with the Naval LD the construction materials just as long as there is a source to pick it up from,” Sec. Teodoro explained.
The Office of the President has extended over PHP 42.78 million in financial assistance to the Batanes local government unit (LGU).
Additionally, various food and non-food items—including shelter repair kits, family food packs, water gallons, sacks of rice, and hygiene kits—were distributed by DSWD and OCD during the visit.
“Our duty is to reach out to our fellow citizens in need of assistance from the national government. It is crucial that we provide them with necessities such as food, water, medicine, and support for rebuilding their homes as quickly as possible. By consistently preparing, planning, and responding to disasters, we can help our countrymen,” Usec. Nepomuceno stated in an interview.
### Laoag Mission Update
Following the mission in Batanes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary Gilberto Teodoro traveled directly to Laoag for a briefing on the impacts of Super Typhoon Julian in the region.
OCD Operations Service Director Cesar Idio, representing Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, also attended the briefing.
The OCD Regional Office 1 has been actively providing additional Non-Food Items (NFIs) to various provinces in the region to support affected families. These NFIs include hygiene kits, emergency lighting systems, tarpaulin sheets, blankets, and more.
### US Support for Super Typhoon Julian Relief Efforts
On October 5, 2024, two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from the United States III Marine Expeditionary Force arrived at Villamor Air Base. These aircraft are currently transporting essential relief supplies to Laoag Airport for the victims of Super Typhoon Julian in Batanes.
Due to the aircraft's weight, which poses a risk of damaging the runway in Batanes, a direct flight to the province was not feasible. Consequently, the relief goods will be transferred from Laoag to Batanes using US MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53 helicopters.
As of 8:45 PM yesterday, three batches of relief supplies have been successfully delivered to Laoag via US aircraft, with the final batch scheduled for departure today.
The relief items include:
- 1,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- 1,000 shelter repair kits from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
- 2,500 graded tarpaulin sheets and 1,000 kitchen sets from the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Secretary Teodoro conveyed his gratitude for US support in a statement, saying, “We are deeply thankful to the US government for their swift response and unwavering assistance during this critical time. Their support is vital as we work to rebuild and provide for our communities affected by the super typhoon.”
### AFP Support
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno extends his heartfelt gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for their unwavering commitment and dedication during the relief efforts following Typhoon Julian. He specifically acknowledges the leadership of Lieutenant General Fernyl Galera Buca and the personnel of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) for their exemplary service.
“Your tireless work alongside President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has been instrumental in providing essential assistance to our affected communities in Batanes and Ilocos Norte,” said Nepomuceno.
As relief operations progressed, Nepomuceno witnessed the distribution of aid to thousands of beneficiaries, underscoring the significant impact of collaborative efforts in times of crisis. “Your swift actions have not only delivered critical resources but have also instilled hope and resilience within our communities,” he stated.
Lt. Gen. Buca noted, “Their efforts have brought much-needed relief and hope to those suffering from Typhoon Julian,” a sentiment echoed by Nepomuceno. “We are deeply grateful to have such dedicated partners in our mission to serve and protect our fellow Filipinos. Together, we are rebuilding lives and restoring hope in the face of adversity.”
Nepomuceno concluded, “Thank you once again for your invaluable support.”
### Support from the Private Sector and OCD’s Logistics Efforts
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno also expressed gratitude to the private sector for their vital contributions to the ongoing relief efforts following Super Typhoon Julian. Earlier today, relief items from Manila Water and the GMA Kapuso Foundation were transported to Batanes via an AFP aircraft.
"We appreciate everyone who has supported the response operations for Typhoon Julian. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will continue to fulfill its role as an implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)," stated Nepomuceno.
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