President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to ensure a swift and well-coordinated response to the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Crising.
In a statement issued by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Washington, D.C., he stressed that President Marcos remained fully engaged in overseeing the government’s disaster response efforts even while attending official engagements in the United States.
“Umasa po kayo na 24/7 po nakatutok ang ating Pangulo dito po sa Amerika,” Teodoro said.
President Marcos is currently in Washington, D.C. together with some members of his Cabinet for a three-day official visit, which includes a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and other top American officials.
According to Teodoro, President Marcos has made it clear that all necessary resources must be mobilized to protect and assist the areas affected by Crising, which brought heavy rains to Metro Manila and neighboring provinces over the weekend.
Due to persistent rains triggered by the southwest monsoon intensified by Crising, government work and classes in Metro Manila and several nearby provinces have been suspended since Monday.
Teodoro, who also chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense, assured the public that disaster response mechanisms are working round-the-clock, particularly through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell, which functions as the central command for preparation, rescue, and relief operations.
“Sinusubukan po natin hindi lang po sagutin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga nasalanta, kung hindi anticipate ang mga susunod pa na kinakailangan gawin,” he said.
He also confirmed ongoing coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. to engage international partners, such as the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), for possible use of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) facilities and other available resources to support the military’s disaster response.
In addition to U.S. cooperation, Teodoro said the government is also reaching out to other allies, such as Japan, to enhance response capabilities and deliver timely aid to affected communities.
“Dito po makikita ng ating mga kababayan ang benepisyo ng pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga armed forces para makaligtas ang ating mga kababayan laban sa mga hamon ng kalikasan,” he said.
Teodoro further assured that relief goods have already been pre-positioned in key areas, following advanced coordination with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to ensure immediate distribution of aid to displaced and affected families. | PND
