Malacanang: PHL providing enough assistance, food to Sabah evacuees

Malacanang gave assurances the government is providing enough assistance to Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in Sabah by helping them return to the country and feeding those who have returned to Mindanao.

In a press briefing in Malacanang Wednesday, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman reported there are 500 individuals who returned to Tawi-Tawi from Sandakan in Malaysia through the assistance of the Philippine Navy.

Soliman said the evacuees are part of the 1,500 Filipinos who reportedly returned to the country on Tuesday.

The evacuees will then proceed to Sulu and Basilan, where most of them reside.

Soliman also noted that 600 people arrived in Jolo and Tanduao Tuesday night who were given food and other assistance by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Jolo.

Most of them returned to Basilan and Zamboanga Peninsula after receiving government assistance.

She assured those returning from Sabah that there is enough food supply for them particularly rice and other basic commodities.

"Nais ko lang i-assure ang ating mga kababayan, gaya ng aming pagpupulong kahapon, noong Lunes nagpadala na ng isang libong sako sa bawat bayan sa Jolo at sa Bungao," Soliman said.

The government is providing 1,000 sacks of rice as well as canned goods.

The government has set up repacking stations in Jolo and Bungao, she said adding that there are additional 2,000 sacks that may arrive from Pagadian City and Zamboanga City for the National Food Authority's commercial use.

The government expects the price of rice to go down in those areas once the NFA rice arrives, Soliman said.

Providing enough supply of basic commodities especially rice, should not be a problem because the country had a bumper harvest in Luzon, according to Soliman.

Soliman also reported that there is a Rapid Response Team in Sabah that has recently visited Lahad Datu, the conflict area, where the followers of the Sulu sultanate was previously holed up.

The Rapid Response Team is composed of personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs, DSWD, and the country's Police Attaché in Malaysia.

Soliman explained that the Rapid Response Team visited Felda in Sabah where three evacuation centers are set up.

Among those who are staying in the three evacuation centers are Filipinos, Indonesians, Timuris and local villagers. Local reports said more than 500 Filipinos affected by the Sabah conflict are staying in three evacuation centers in Felda.

There are 451 Filipinos working in Felda and are not threatened by the Sabah conflict, Soliman said.

"Inaasahan na itong Rapid Response Team and the Humanitarian Welfare Desk ay tutulong para doon sa mga gustong umuwi, makauwi; at doon sa mga gustong manatili, matulungan kung wala silang dokumento na mabigyan sila ng dokumento, nang sa ganoon malaya silang makapagtrabaho sa lugar na kanilang pinagtatrabahuan," she said.

The Sabah conflict, which started February 12, has claimed the lives of more than 60 Filipinos and nine Malaysians, based on recent reports. (PNA)