President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to help Catanduanes rehabilitate its fiber production industry.

Super Typhoon Pepito damaged the province’s abaca cultivation areas.

“Ang pinakamalaking naging problema, ‘yung agricultural damage. Catanduanes ang center ng production ng abaca at maraming nasira. Kailangan natin tingnan ulit kung papaano tayo mag-replant,” the President said after a situation briefing on Pepito’s effects to the province.

“Ngunit in the immediate, ang kailangan is reconstruction materials at nakahanda na kami. Kagaya diyan sa mga ibang lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo ay maghahanda kami ng mga construction materials,” he said.

The President said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is assessing the damage in the local abaca industry and determining appropriate interventions.

He directed the DA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to coordinate on recovery initiatives such as the conduct of cash-for-work program to help farmers gain employment and rehabilitation measures for the industry.

Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua said the DA and DOLE collaborated in the past to implement abaca replanting effort.

Abaca production is a major industry in Catanduanes, particularly in its capital Virac, where many farmers and fiber producers depend on the industry for livelihood.

President Marcos arrived in Catanduanes to extend assistance and assess the damage left by Pepito.

Eleven out of 16 municipalities of Catanduanes were severely affected by Pepito. Damages to houses, government buildings, schools, and other infrastructure were reported. | PND