We would like to remind thenational government to also address the devastation caused by Santi.

As of October 16, according to theNDRRMC itself, the only assistance coming from the central government wasthe P6.6 million worth of relief goods from the DSWD.

I am sure,however, that more help has been sent since.

For the record, Santiaffected 900,421 persons in 800 barangays in 78 municipalities and 9cities in 14 provinces.

It damaged 59,001 houses, 10,837 ofwhich were beyond repair.

By government’s count, Santi leftbehind P3.2 billion worth of damages : P114.4 million in infrastructure and P3.17 billion in agriculture.

While government is correct to focusits attention in Central Visayas, it must also look up, to Central Luzon, wheregovernment help is also badly needed.

It must be able to multitask, torespond to calls for help coming from many fronts. It must be an equalopportunity provider of comfort and succor.

If it was able to embed Cabinetsecretaries in Bohol and Cebu, it must entrench them too in Nueva Ecija,Zambales and Bulacan where they can direct operations on the ground.

This move, plus the delivery ofaid, and the promise of rehabilitation funds, will signal to Santi victims thatthey haven’t been forgotten and that help is on the way.

It is not late to reassure them thathelp is on the way.