President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to ensure that transport, shelter, and food supplies are available for evacuees and families affected by heavy rains and flooding in various parts of the country.
President Marcos tapped the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide immediate assistance to displaced families—mobilizing transportation for evacuation efforts, deploying relief goods, and setting up temporary shelters in coordination with local government units.
During a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that 490,418 families have been affected, with 14,191 of these families residing in 500 evacuation centers.
President Marcos emphasized the need for swift and coordinated action to protect the welfare of affected communities.
“Some 92,590 family food packs have been released since severe tropical storm “Crising” started affecting Luzon last week, enhanced the southwest monsoon over the weekend, and until now, when two low-pressure areas are pulling in more rains, Gatchalian said.
Approximately three million food packs are readily available in warehouses, while packaging centers in Pasay City and Cebu continue to produce 20,000 packs daily, in compliance with President Marcos’ order to ensure that no affected family goes hungry, Gatchalian said.
For his part, Secretary Vince Dizon of the DOTr said hundreds of buses and trucks, including those from the Coast Guard, Armed Forces, Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Office of the President, are currently deployed on various Metro Manila routes to safely ferry commuters across flooded areas.
“Lahat po ng puwedeng ideploy ay naideploy na natin. Tuluy-tuloy po tayo dito hangga’t di gumanda ang panahon,” Dizon said.
Dizon said he had also coordinated with San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and was assured that concerns about floodwater pouring down from the Metro Manila Skyway are being addressed.
“Dinulog na po nila itong mga panawagan na ayusin itong mga nakakadagdag sa pagbaha dahil sa mga bara, dahil sa pagbagsak ng tubig mula sa Skyway. Binibilisan na po nila ang pag-address sa problemang ito,” Dizon said referring to the conglomerate, which operates the elevated expressway. | PND
