PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to focus all efforts in ensuring the safety and welfare of the Filipino people, as many communities are battling heavy flooding due to the effects of habagat (southwest monsoon).
In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Marcos expressed dismay over reports that government personnel are putting up materials related to his upcoming State of the Nation Address (Sona) in public areas while many communities are dealing with the effects of habagat.
“Let me be clear: all Sona-related preparations are hereby ordered immediately suspended. The Department of Public Works and Highways, along with all concerned agencies, must put full attention and exclusive focus on flood response and relief operations,” said Bersamin.
Marcos is currently in the United States for an official visit, which includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
In a virtual inter-agency press conference led by Malacañang press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said nearly 500,000 families were affected by the onslaught of habagat, in which 14,191 families were displaced and are now staying in 500 evacuation centers across the country.
In a situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the assistance provided by the government through the DSWD and the concerned local government units has already totaled to P413,020,214.38.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian is making rounds in various evacuation centers in Metro Manila and Bulacan to lead and oversee the distribution of food packs for the affected population.
Gatchalian said Marcos instructed the agency to ensure that no families affected by the calamity will get hungry.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also ensured the ongoing relief, rescue and clearing operations in the affected areas.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said buses and trucks were deployed in strategic areas in Metro Manila to provide free rides to stranded passengers and commuters.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said from over 500 flooded areas in Metro Manila on July 21, it went down to 273 areas as of July 22.
He said part of the efforts of the MMDA is the hauling of garbage, which is a major factor for flooding.
OCD Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard deployed search and rescue teams to assist the affected population, particularly those living in areas experiencing massive flooding.
In Bulacan, some barangays in Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos and Marilao are experiencing chest-deep flooding due to persistent and continuous rains over the past few days.
For his part, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said P31 million worth of emergency medicines are prepositioned in Ilocos, Cagayan, Calabrzon, Mimaropa Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
He said P180 million more emergency medicines and logistics are also on stand-by in case more is needed.
The NDRRMC also reported that the reported death toll due to the onslaught of habagat has increased to five while there were also six missing individuals.
Of the reported fatalities, two were confirmed while four are still under verification.
The disaster bureau said the damage to infrastructure already stood at more than P413 million, while the agricultural damage incurred amounted to over P54 million. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)