Floodwaters may have disrupted communities across Central Luzon, but Malacañang said government assistance will continue around the clock as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. orders agencies to sustain relief operations and address longer-term flooding concerns.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday that Marcos spent the past week monitoring the situation, including personal inspections of flood-hit areas in Bulacan and Pampanga and meetings with local officials to assess their needs.
Marcos directed Cabinet officials to ensure that affected communities have adequate food, non-food supplies and medicines, while keeping evacuation centers properly maintained.
He also ordered concerned agencies to pursue immediate and long-term measures to address flooding in Bulacan and Pampanga, Castro said.
The President dispatched Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos to inspect conditions in Hagonoy and Paombong, Bulacan.
Cabinet officials also briefed Marcos on the situation following heavy rains over the weekend. Dizon reported on damaged infrastructure and bridges.
“Sa mga ganitong klaseng sitwasyon, hindi kailangang utusan pa ng Pangulo ang mga nasabing miyembro ng Gabinete dahil alam nila kung ano ang nais ng Pangulo. Mabilis na aksyon,” Castro said. (In situations like these, the President does not need to issue orders to the concerned Cabinet members because they already know what the President wants: swift action.)
Castro said Marcos was scheduled to convene a Central Luzon and Metro Manila Response Meeting on Monday afternoon with officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Budget and Management.
The meeting will assess the flooding situation and determine additional measures needed in affected areas.
Castro said the President urged residents to remain vigilant and follow instructions from authorities, particularly when evacuation is necessary.
“Kung kinakailagan lumikas, sumunod po kayo agad para sa inyong kaligtasan,” she said. (If evacuation becomes necessary, please follow instructions immediately for your safety.)
She also assured affected families that the government would provide food and other essential supplies.
“Ang tulong po ay nandadiyan at hindi po kayo hahayaang magutom pati ang non-food kits like hygiene kits, sleeping, clothing at kitchen kits ay kumpleto pong maibibigay sa inyo,” Castro said. (Help is coming, and you will not be left to go hungry; non-food items such as hygiene kits, sleeping gear, clothing, and kitchen kits will also be fully provided to you.)
The Palace said the government response covers both immediate relief for displaced residents and measures intended to address recurring flooding and damaged infrastructure in affected communities.
Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos/FB
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