PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has instructed government agencies to step up their assistance in flood-hit areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Malacañang said Monday, August 13.
In a press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. reminded public to stay alert and safe amid torrential rains and massive flooding.
"Patuloy po ang aming pagpapaalala sa publiko na maging alerto at ligtas," Roque said.
(We continue reminding the public to be alert and safe.)
"Ipinag-utos [ng Presidente] sa mga ahensiya ng gobyermo na paigtingin ang mga serbisyo sa mga naapektuhan [ng matinding ulan at pag-baha] at siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng lahat," he added.
(The President ordered the government agencies to intensify their services to those affected [by heavy rains and floods] and ensure everyone's safety.)
Duterte was initially scheduled to conduct an aerial inspection of flooded areas in Metro Manila and Rizal provice at around 2:35 p.m., Monday.
But in an advisory sent to Palace reporters, Malacañang announced that the President's aerial visit was cancelled, citing no reason.
In a 4 p.m. weather bulletin, the state-run Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spotted a low pressure area (LPA) 920 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, as of 3 p.m.
Pagasa said the LPA was expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.
The state weather bureau warned of moderate to occasional heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Metro Manila, and the rest of Central Luzon and Calabarzon will experience occasional rains, Pasaga said.
The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms, while Visayas and Mindnao will experience and partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers.
Roque said the concerned government agencies, including the Social Welfare and Health departments, had already provided P133,812,308 worth of assistance to the affected families in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Metro Manila, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
"Ito ang panahon ng pagkakaisa at bayanihan. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat sa patuloy na pagpapaabot ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan," he said.
(This is the time for unity and cooperation. We are very much thankful for everyone who is extending assistance to their fellow countrymen.) (SunStar Philippines)