Vice President Leni Robredo was joined by actress Kris Aquino in the delivery of food assistance to typhoon “Odette” victims in southern Negros Occidental on Tuesday, December 21.
Robredo said the distribution on Tuesday was not a one-time delivery. She is leaving a team in Negros Occidental to look into what else they can do to help the typhoon-hit residents.
The team will also deliver assistance to typhoon victims in other areas of Negros Occidental that she was unable to visit Tuesday, Robredo said.
The vice president met with typhoon victims in Barangay Daan Banwa, Kabankalan City, and Himamaylan City.
Robredo said she personally met with the typhoon victims to assure them that they are not alone in their ordeal, and that they will not be forgotten.
Many of the typhoon victims, whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the typhoon in Kabankalan City, said they were thankful the vice president took the time personally to listen to their plight and bring them help.
Robredo and Aquino were accompanied by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, and senatorial candidate Alex Lacson who is from Kabankalan City.
“Remember who came here to help you…If this is the kind of leader we have, we will have hope,” Lacson told the cheering crowd in Himamaylan City.
Mayor Pedro Zayco and Vice Mayor Raul Rivera also joined Robredo in Kabankalan City, and Mayor Raymund Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao in Himamaylan City.
Aquino said she would join Robredo in her campaign for the presidency in January 2022 but when she learned that she was coming to Negros to deliver typhoon assistance she decided to accompany her.
She delivered truckloads of food assistance, she paid for with her personal funds, for the typhoon victims of Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities, and was also making a delivery to Hinigaran town where the woman who raised her children comes from, Aquino said.
She was also turning over Smart SIM cards with loads and bottled water that she brought on her chartered plane to the governor for distribution, Aquino said.
Aquino said her visit to Negros was her first trip with Robredo during her presidential run.
She has supported Robredo since she ran for vice president because she believes in her, Aquino said.
“I am for VP Leni because my mom said if a woman is strong and intelligent the whole family will live,” she said.
“The country needs to get back on its feet and it is Leni whom I trust. She will work hard and will take care of every Filipino,” Aquino said.
Aquino was accompanied by her fiancé Mel Sarmiento, who served as local government secretary under her brother, President Benigno Aquino III.
Actress Angel Locsin also donated P2 million for the typhoon relief efforts of Robredo, Aquino said.
Robredo and Aquino were met by cheering crowds chanting their names on their arrival in Kabankalan and Himamaylan cities.*