“We need help to be able to recover,” First District Representative Edgar Chatto implored Congress in a privilege speech he delivered during the plenary session at the House of Representatives on January 17, 2022.
Chatto underscored the vulnerability of Bohol as an island province in the disruption in the supply of fuel, food commodities, building materials and the like due to logistics and transport problems, following the onslaught of the typhoon.
Typhoon Odette has left the province without electricity which is very vital as the loss of power supply means water supply is paralyzed, communication, mobility, and economic activity are also impacted, he stressed.
Lauding the provincial government and local government units (LGUs) in their relief and response effort as supported by the national government and private sector groups, Chatto appealed for more assistance for food and shelter.
He also asked help for rehabilitation and recovery of Bohol from the devastation caused by the typhoon.
He also called on international organizations to help rebuild Bohol and the rest of the areas in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao which were also hit and are still reeling from the effects of typhoon Odette.
He pointed out the need of an economic stimulus package for affected sectors such as agriculture including fishermen who need fishing equipment as they venture out to fish following the typhoon.
The typhoon almost wiped out some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country like Siargao, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan, Chatto said.
He cited the need to look into tourism and agriculture recovery.
Chatto was only among three representatives who were able to deliver privilege speeches during Monday’s plenary session, which was suspended until Jan. 24, 2022 due to the continuing surge in Coronavirus disease (Covid) cases.