President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to focus on rescue and relief operations and to use all available resources to ensure the safety of people affected by southwest monsoon, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

“Klaro ang gusto ng Pangulo. Ituon ang lahat ng kakayahan at available resources ng gobyerno upang tiyakin na ligtas at nasa maayos na kalagayan ang lahat ng apektado ng malawakang pag-ulan at pagbaha,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday.

President Marcos directed the immediate suspension of all activities related to the SONA following reports that some government workers were placing materials in public areas, even as many communities remain under threat from widespread flooding.

“Alam po nating lahat na ang utos ng Pangulo ay magtrabaho tayo para sa taong bayan. At iyan naman ang ginagawa ng mga kawanin ng gobyerno. Kapuri-puri po kayo,” Castro said during a press briefing at Malacañang.

“Pero hindi po ito napapanahon na unahin ito kaysa sa kaligtasan ninyo at kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan,” Castro said.

The President ordered that all government resources and efforts be redirected to support communities affected by flooding, particularly in delivering urgent assistance and ensuring public safety.

The directive came after the President received reports that some government workers were installing SONA materials instead of addressing the immediate needs of flood-stricken communities. | PND