President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Monday conducted an aerial ocular inspection of areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng.”

Marcos has tasked national government agencies to ramp up efforts to provide assistance to families affected by the storm’s onslaught.

The President assured a wide range of assistance from the government for people in areas hardest hit by Paeng.

The chief executive earlier presided over a “full council meeting” of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday where he ordered government agencies to look for ways to immediately provide for the needs of the tropical storm victims.

“Kung hindi talaga maganda ang weather, hanap tayo ng ibang paraan para maipadala natin ‘yung mga gamit, ‘yung mga pangangailangan, ‘yung relief goods, lahat ng — ‘yung tubig, ‘yung gamot na kailangan, mga pangangailangan ng mga evacuees,” the President said.

During the meeting, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Assistant Secretary Cristina Clasara reported that there is sufficient balance under the NDRRM Fund.

According to the situational report NDRRMC on Monday, a total of 590,990 families or 1,953,814 individuals were affected by the tropical storm.

PAGASA, in its 11:00 am bulletin on Monday, reported that “Paeng” (international name: Nalgae) is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday afternoon or evening. | PND