Considering the welfare of the Filipino people, especially children, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed relevant government agencies to be adequately prepared and move swiftly to prevent further damage, injuries, and fatalities in the event of natural disasters.

“In government, the best that we can do is really to be prepared, as prepared as we can possibly be, and move very, very quickly,” President Marcos said during the BBM Podcast aired on Monday, when asked about the level of disaster preparedness and resilience.

President Marcos said he would always think of the children who are among these most affected by these natural disasters, and ordered the government not to delay any work that needed to be done.

“It’s very simple for me.I’m motivated by the fact, think of the children that are in distress now. What do they need? What we have to do? You cannot wait. Don’t do it later. Do it now. Do it now. Do it now,” the Chief Executive said.

The President said he also wanted to prevent further suffering of victims of disasters, saying the government would follow through with the relief and recovery aid.

“That’s why I made it very clear when I went to both Masbate and to Cebu, I said this is not a one-time thing. We’re here, we’re gonna stay here until everyone is more or less in a stable condition,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos visited Masbate on October 1 and Cebu on October 2 to oversee relief efforts and extend immediate assistance to the affected residents.

President Marcos cited the help of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) led by its chairman and CEO, former Senator Richard Gordon, in setting up tent cities in Cebu for the victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on Sept. 30.

“I got the reports that in Cebu, the tent cities are starting to go up with the help of Dick Gordon and the Red Cross. They’ve been very, very, very helpful,” President Marcos said. | PND