President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday directed concerned government agencies to provide immediate assistance to families unreached by relief efforts in Sta. Ines, Tanay due to impassable roads.

During a situation briefing in San Mateo, Rizal on the effects of Typhoon Carina and Habagat in the province, Tanay Mayor Lito Tanjuatco said around 3,000 families in Sta. Ines are isolated and have yet to receive assistance.

Tanjuatco said the roads leading to Sta. Ines are not passable due to landslides, making relief operations problematic for local officials and welfare agencies.

“All of the things that we always bring. Medicines, tubig… malinis na tubig. Basta all of those things and then medicines,” President Marcos said.

“There’s no way to do it except to find a way to para maging passable kahit na alam mo na hindi naman umuulan pa, kahit na ano muna. Parang — kahit hindi na muna sementuhin, ‘di ba. Madaanan lang. Pero huwag nating iiwanan ganun. Kailangan at some point mabalikan namin para ayusin talaga,” the President said as he tasked Public Works and Highways Secretary Manny Bonoan and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.

Local officials of Rizal suggested conducting relief airdrop operations as a temporary solution until the roads become passable. They noted that the longer it takes for the road to become passable, the bigger the volume of goods that must be brought in.

The President said Bonoan and Abalos should work together with the Office of Civil Defense to bring relief goods, medicines, and other necessities to the families in Sta. Ines as soon as possible.

Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares said out of the 14 towns, three in the province were badly hit by the weather disturbances: San Mateo with 3,031 family evacuees; Montalban, 3,170; and Cainta, 2,213.

San Mateo and Montalban, which are near the Marikina River, also suffer from flooding, said Ynares. The province recorded two deaths, eight injuries, and one missing person during the typhoon. PND