President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., even while he was on official trip to the United States to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, closely monitored the government‘s sustained relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts to mitigate the impact of severe tropical storm “Crising” and the southwest monsoon.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated that President Marcos had issued direct instructions to concerned Cabinet members and agencies prior to his departure for the United States.
In a press briefing, Castro said that on July 22, immediately after the forecast of heavy rains was announced, President Marcos ordered concerned agencies to implement planned measures to assist families and communities expected to be affected.
In response to questions about Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the government’s response, Castro said the Vice President may not have been fully informed about the administration’s preparations for “Crising,” as she was out of the country.
“Unang-una po hindi naman talaga malalaman marahil ni bise presidente kung ano po ang pag-pre-prepare ng administrasyon patungkol dito sa bagyong Crising dahil wala siya sa bansa at nagbabakasyon siya sa The Hague,” Castro said.
“Dahil ang mga pagpupulong na ito na kasama po bago po umalis ang Pangulong Marcos papuntang U.S., hindi po rin niya ito malamang nakita at nabalitaan. Muli, wala ang kanyang presensya sa Pilipinas para husgahan kung ano man ang naging trabaho ng Pangulo, administrasyon at mga concerned agencies patungkol po dito sa bagyong Crising,” Castro said.
Castro said the government has provided free rides, distributed food packs, carried out rehabilitation efforts, and conducted search and rescue operations.
“Naiulat na po natin kahapon ang nagawa at accomplishments ng mga ahensya katulad po ng DSWD, DOTr, pati po Philippine Coast Guard ay nagbigay na po ng libreng sakay. Katulad po ng DOTr na nagbigay ng libre sakay sa MRT at LRT.Yan po ay base sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Castro said. | PND
