Presidential aspirant Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday , Dec. 25, pledged to double down on their relief efforts and continue sending aids to those who were affected and displaced by typhoon ‘’Odette.’’

Marcos also urged the whole nation "to stay strong and unified in the face of the misfortunes that some of our countrymen are experiencing this Christmas.”

"My supporters will continue scouring the remote areas in the provinces that were badly hit by the typhoon to bring the necessary assistance. We will not stop helping them until such time that they will be back on their feet," he added.

In an interview on DZRH last Friday, Marcos promised to visit the victims in other provinces, "as the reports of the extent of the devastation in their areas came in late because of poor communications.”

“Hindi pa maaring pumunta sa malalayo (We cannot still go to far places). Kailan lang lumabas ang balita sa Palawan, medyo mabigat ang tama kaya’t nagpadala na kami ng barko na may dala na mga relief goods para sa mga biktima ni Odette at sasalubungin namin dahil hindi pa yata pwede lumipad ngayon (After reports leaked that Palawan was likewise badly hit, we sent a ship-load of relief goods for ‘’Odette’’ victims as sending the goods through air is still not possible.’’ Marcos said.

He emphasized that aside from food, electricity, and other basic necessities, water has been a critical problem.

"Kaya’t nagpadala kami ng almost 30 tons na tubig sa iba’t ibang lugar pero ang isusunod namin ay 'yong filtration kit (That is why we sent almost 30 tons of water to many parts and a filtration kit will follow. Inaalala natin yung cholera, yung bacteria dahil sa maruming tubig (we fear of a cholera outbreak because of bacteria in dirty water), ” Marcos also said.

“Yun mga natutunan namin noong Yolanda eh tubig talaga is the first thing (Based on our typhoon ‘’Yolanda’’ experience, water is first priority). After nang makapagpadala ng pagkain, tubig ang susunod, na is construction materials dahil yun na nga mga bahay na nasira ay kailangan nating tulungan na makapagtayo ulit o maiayos nila yung nasira sa kanilang bahay dahil sa bagyo (After sending food, water followed, then construction materials needed by those rendered homeless),’’ he explained.

He added that after bringing back the life of the victims to its relative normalcy, he would focus in helping them rebuild their homes, "dahil kailangan nila ng bubong na masisilungan bilang proteksyon sa kanila at sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay (because they need a roof over their heads.)’’

Marcos assured the Filipino people that like in the past challenges that the country faced, "we will persevere and come out of this stronger than ever.”

"It is my fervent wish this Christmas season that we continue to pray for good health and prosperity, and that God may give us the courage to stand as a united nation, because it is only through unity that we can get back on our feet as we move forward to a brighter future,” he said.