Before embarking on a two-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam and working visit to Singapore, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered on Tuesday a whole-of-government approach to recovery efforts after Typhoon Aghon hit some parts of the Philippines.
President Marcos ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that all forms of assistance and medical support are extended to Aghon-hit areas.
He also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to swiftly deploy their people for the immediate recovery of the affected infrastructure and transportation centers.
The President said the national government has closely worked with local government units (LGUs) for recovery measures immediately after Aghon hit some parts of the Philippines, which included distribution of various assistance and search and rescue operations.
He said the DSWD has provided PhP1.35 million worth of assistance to Aghon-affected residents while PhP607.9 million fund is on standby.
“Nakapaghanda rin tayo ng 841 search and rescue retrieval teams na nanggagaling sa AFP, sa Coast Guard, at sa BFP; 465 transportation assets ang made-deploy; and 436 emergency telecommunications equipment ready for deployment dahil alam naman natin na ang hirap na makapagdala ng relief goods. Hangga’t may communication tayo lagi nating inuuna ‘yan,” he said.
“Bago pa dumating ‘yung bagyo nakapaglagay na tayo ng mga relief goods na malapit doon sa area ng ating inaasahan na dadaan ‘yung bagyo kaya naka-ready naman sila lahat kaya’t sa unang pagkakataon na makapasok ang ating mga puwersa, ang ating mga DSWD, ang ating Coast Guard, ang ating search and rescue, lahat ng mga asset natin ay makapasok na kaagad dahil nakahanda tayo mula pa noong dumating ang bagyo,” the President added.
President Marcos also noted that the government will continue to find ways for the swift recovery of the Filipinos from the effects of Typhoon Aghon which hit parts of the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas. | PND
