PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR: Okay. Good morning everyone. We are here for the quick briefing because I wanted to make an inspection tour of some of the areas that we — around NCR. But until then… So before that, let’s get the briefing. See what the latest information that we have. [Who will conduct this?]

Please go ahead.

PHILIPPINE ATMOSPHERIC GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA) ADMINISTRATOR NATHANIEL SERVANDO: Good morning, Mr. President and distinguished members of the Cabinet and colleagues in the government.

On behalf of DOST-PAGASA, I will present a brief report on the status of Super Typhoon Carina, now downgraded into typhoon as it crosses Taiwan, and the associated habagat, that [inaudible] heavy rainfall in [inaudible] particularly the western section of Luzon including Metro Manila.

Now, shown in the slide, Mr. President, is the track of Typhoon Carina. As of this morning, it is already outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The red colored areas are actually cloud clusters associated with typhoon and another cloud cluster located or situated on the western section of Luzon. Ito po ‘yung associated ng Southwest Monsoon or habagat na patuloy nagpa-ulan sa may kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon.

Allow me to give you a brief chronology of events on the evolution of Typhoon Carina. It started with a low pressure area [on] July 18 last Thursday – Thursday [inaudible]. A day after, it became a tropical depression and on July 20, became a tropical storm.

During this day, we issued a weather advisory because nakikita po natin na moderate to occasional heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila and of course including Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, beginning July 22, Monday. That is two days before the rainfall event occur.

[On] July 21, it became a severe tropical storm and we raised Signal No. 1 in Northern Luzon. [On] Monday July 22, it became a typhoon category and we had a meeting with Office of Civil Defense and subsequently the cancellation of work in the government were cancelled during the afternoon because [inaudible] later on in the evening, we issued an advisory because in the forecast heavy to intense rainfall will be observed on July 24, that was Wednesday, yesterday for [inaudible] Manila, areas in CALABARZON, including MIMAROPA, Luzon, and the Ilocos Region.

Again, there was a coordination meeting with the Office of Civil Defense and subsequently recommended for the cancellation of work in the government and classes in all levels in Metro Manila.

[On] 24 July, that was yesterday, it became a super typhoon category. It made landfall in Taiwan. And then, we expect today, it will be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Shown in the slide are daily accumulated rainfall…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: I don’t mean to… But we’ve seen this. We had this briefing yesterday. Can we focus on what the situation is now?

I remember I asked for a map or a list of the isolated areas that are still isolated, number one. And number two, we are — we can see for ourselves that umaalis na ‘yung typhoon system. So, where are we now? What is the situation on the ground now? Where is there still flooding? Where are there still isolated communities? That is what we need to know.

Because para gumalaw ‘yung lahat ng ating mga agency. We need to know where to go. That’s really what I need to hear from you. Where do we go now? Which are the places that need the most help immediately?

PAGASA ADMINISTRATOR SERVANDO: Yes, sir. We have… Actually received information in some provinces particularly in Pampanga province, there are barangays reportedly under flood situation.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Saan ito? Saan?

PAGASA ADMINISTRATOR SERVANDO: Like for example in Masantol, there are 26 barangays. Macabebe, 19 barangays. We have a list actually, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay.

PAGASA ADMINISTRATOR SERVANDO: Then, this is actually, the status of dam — actually the information is taken from dam operators from NPC particularly for Angat, MWSS for La Mesa, and NIA in some major dams.

And most major dams actually are on safe level. Meaning medyo malayo pa sa normal high-water level. Except for La Mesa, yesterday umabot po ng overflow level but this morning naghupa na ‘yung level.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: What was the volume of water na umapaw?

PAGASA ADMINISTRATOR SERVANDO: Currently, yesterday, the overflow level of La Mesa supposedly is 815 and currently nagiging 80.13 na. Dahil relatively hindi na ganoon kalakas ang pag-uulan kaya we expect na mas bababa pa ang level ng La Mesa.

Then another dam na nag-open ng gate. Ito po ‘yung Ipo Dam. Isang gate na lang ang opening, very minimal na ang release ng water. Then the other dams are actually safe.

And then the last slide, Mr. President, what to expect in the next three days. Although we expect heavy and occasional intense rains in Metro Manila but we expect this will improve starting today.

As well as in our provinces, in Ilocos Region, CAR, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Occidental Mindoro. Then, tomorrow we expect much improved weather condition particularly in Metro Manila and Ilocos Region except for Pangasinan.

Then, moderate to heavy rains pa rin ang makakaranas ang mga provinces ng — for example Zambales, Bataan, and Benguet.

Then by Saturday, we expect much improved weather except for the provinces of Zambales and Bataan na makakaranas pa rin ng moderate but occasional heavy rains.

Then next week, we expect much — or good weather condition.

That’s all for my short presentation, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: All right. Thank you. Okay. Can we… Let’s see. [Ariel, may briefing ka? Kasama na dito? Oo.]

Are there anymore briefings that we need to hear? Sige, DILG. Sec. Benhur…

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) SECRETARY BENHUR ABALOS JR.: Mr. President, this is with reference to the DILG report. [Okay, NDRRMC muna? Okay, sige.] 

OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE (OCD) ADMINISTRATOR UNDERSECRETARY ARIEL NEPOMUCENO: Good morning, Mr. President and distinguished Cabinet secretaries and colleagues. We’ll be briefly reporting on the summaries and aggregated reports on the impact of the enhanced habagat but we’ll skip on the slides that were already touched by PAGASA.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: As of today, Mr. President, officially as of 10 PM last night, the report on the casualties is still 13 but this morning, though we have to validate, there are two more reported casualties from Metro Manila. So, this will be potentially a total of 15.

And the affected population for the seventeen regions — sorry, seven regions is 910,536 persons but we will have to add what will be reported later on by MMDA because seven regions exclude the Metro Manila report. So, we’ll integrate that, sir.

There are already declarations of State of Calamities. One in, of course, Metro Manila; and then in the provinces, two; cities and municipalities, three; and one barangay. But we are expecting more, Mr. President. Unofficially this morning, we were informed that 10 more will be declaring, at least.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: But this is only NCR?

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: NCR already declared, sir. CALABARZON already declared also. And there are municipalities, three, from Cotabato…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Actually, ang naging ano natin, focus natin is CALABARZON, Region 3.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir, and 4-A.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: NCR and 4-A.  May tama rin ‘yung 4-A.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: So, what’s the situation with those regions?

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Nag-declare na rin, sir ang — wala pa sa report but Cavite and Batangas. We’re expecting Laguna also to…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: But what’s the…? What we need to know now is what is the situation? May tubig pa ba? Puwede ba nating ipasok? Kailangan ba nating maglinis ng putik? Ano ba ang…

What we need to ascertain now is what is the situation as of this morning and where do we go? Where do we send our people? Where do we send our equipment? That’s what we need to define, to decide now. So, you know, it’s not only… Nandito tayo sa NCR but it’s not NCR only. It’s Region 3, CALABARZON, 4-A.

So, kailangan natin tingnan. Where are the…? We have to make an assessment as to where are the areas that should be prioritized for assistance, for rescue. May rescue pa tayo hanggang ngayon, di ba?

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir. We have a slide on that later.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: O, sige, can we get to that so that we can issue instructions already as to what we — where we go and what to do and how to determine which of our resources will be sent where.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: We’re supposed to have a slide, Mr. President, on how many dist ress calls for rescue were received yesterday. There were 156 requests for them to be rescued.

As of 10 PM last night, six pa lang ‘yung successfully rescued. But as of this morning, 30 na po ‘yung na-rescue natin.

But we have to understand also ‘pag ‘yung may target na ire-rescue, Mr. President, along the way na hindi na maka-capture noong report, mayroon din talagang idadagdag na ire-rescue because it will not be proper for our rescuers through LGUs and Coast Guard na pupuntahan lang ‘yung nag-request. Along the way, nire-rescue din natin ‘yun. And MMDA has been a big help.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Once again, this is only NCR. I need a nationwide report. The typhoon didn’t only hit NCR.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir. We’ll coordinate with PAGASA rin sir ‘yung binigay nilang list kanina.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. Look. What I need to know, what we need… For us to be able to decide what to do next, we have to understand what… Kasi it’s almost — it’s not very useful for me to hear that 164 requests for rescue. This means nothing. Where? One hundred thirty of them were from one place. Doon tayo pumunta kaagad. Twenty, dito lang — lima lang dito, tatlo lang doon, dalawa lang ‘yung dito.

I need to understand where we need to immediately send our resources. So, I have to have a more granulated information. Hindi puwede ‘yung the national situation.

I just got the report… You keep talking about Ilocos. I talked to the Governor of Ilocos Norte and the Congressman is here. Sabi, hindi naman ganun ka-grabe.

I thought from the report that we were hit very hard. These are the things we need to know. How — where do we go? How do we prioritize our assets, etcetera, etcetera.

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir. We’ll get this this morning, sir. As of 10 PM kagabi, our people are still — nasa rescue mode pa ho lahat kagabi, sir.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Kaya nga. Like for example, your… Ayan, 156 distress call. Alin ‘yung pinaka-marami? Saan ang pinaka-marami doon sa 156?

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Sir, we will summarize. Iyan ‘yung…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Oo. Puro NCR tayo. We don’t actually need to be briefed on NCR because we’re here. We can see it for ourselves. What about the other places?

OCD ADMINISTRATOR NEPOMUCENO: Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: You want to…?

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) SECRETARY REX GATCHALIAN: When we get to the response side namin, it’s…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Let’s have it. That’s what we need to see. That’s really what we need to see.

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: That’s only one slide from DSWD.

Mr. President, so, as of last night, as of 12 midnight last night, we’ve managed to release 360,228 family food packs. It’s broken down as follows: 39,000 sa NCR; 171,000 sa Central Luzon.

We also have by province but I just didn’t put it here na. And then 90,000 for IV-A; 38,000 for IV-B sa Mindoro Occidental. There were portions niya na — I don’t know if it’s part of the habagat kasi na nahila papunta doon; 38,000; and then for Region V we had 20,000, it’s small lang naman.

Mr. President, this is granulated. When we say released, they’re either in our field office already, waiting to be picked up. Kasi when we spoke to the mayors, lahat sila yesterday they were in rescue mode muna, that’s one.

Number two, they said their equipment still cannot get out of their areas. So, sabi nila, we have our own goods, we’ll use yours for the augmentation.

So, as we speak right now, today, LGUs are picking up. In fact, yesterday, I touched base with the Metro Manila mayors also, the governors of Central Luzon. Lahat sila, they’re in that mode yesterday na ang focus rescue muna.

Iyong mga nasa evacuation center namin na around 33,000 families, ano muna sila — we’ll take care of them. But that they will come — I mean today will come na we need augmentation already.

So, Mr. President the 360,000 they’re either being picked up as we speak, already deployed as of last night, but they’re all in the ground na.

Now, it’s noteworthy to point out, there’s another hundred thousand requests that came in after 12 midnight last night. So, it will bring us to 500,000 family food packs.

We’re ready to supply that. We’re just waiting for the LGUs to pick them up kasi ‘yun ang normal arrangements because they have the trucks while we only have one or two trucks.

Mr. President, so, this is spread across, rest assured that we can supply the needs of the LGUs.

And one more point, Mr. President, ‘yung issue natin last weekend sa Mindanao, we’re still continuing with that. We haven’t stopped providing the request ng BARMM area because they also needed augmentation. That’s Maguindanao del Norte, del Sur, and Lanao del Sur.

So, tuloy-tuloy rin ho tayo doon. Yes, hindi rin natin binibitawan ‘yun. That’s being serviced out of our field offices in Mindanao.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay, Sec. Benhur also can — has maybe more information for us on the local government side.

DILG SEC. ABALOS:  Good morning, Mr. President and fellow Cabinet members.

Ito po ‘yung mga state of calamities na na-gather po namin. So, buong NCR na, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Cavite is already province-wide, Bataan and Bulacan are also province-wide.

Now, ito po ‘yung presence ng ating local chief executive, halos lahat po talagang on the ground po sila ‘no. Talagang diyan niyo po makikita na talagang gumalaw, lalo na sa mga sensitive areas.

If we’re going to base it on the evacuation areas, talagang ang pinaka-affected is NCR, CALABARZON, 4-A, and 4-B, and Region 3. Iyan po lumalabas dito.

Ito po ‘yung mga roads and bridges na na-gather namin na medyo not passable and closed bridges. Marami po talaga NCR ang tinamaan.

Power interruptions. Ito po kailangan dahil kahapon may mga nakukuryente na dahil tumaas ‘yung tubig. Sa amin sa Mandaluyong maraming nakuryente. They have to close down the power, Mr. President. But right now, we’re asking now Meralco na ibalik na po ang power.

Well, ito po ‘yung assignment po kahapon, ‘yung dams and notices. So, may Ipo Dam, may Balanac Dam, may Binga Dam, may La Mesa Dam, at tinawagan na rin po ang mga LGUs tungkol dito.

At I’ve even contacted ‘yung pong NAPOCOR, Wimpy Fuentebella, may standing protocols naman po. We just want to make sure na ang protocols ay talagang na-impose po nila with the LGUs.

So, ‘yan po ‘yung mga number of families who were evacuated na malapit po sa mga dams ‘no. Kung titingnan po natin talaga, ang Bulacan ay medyo naapektuhan. Tama po ang La Mesa Dam ay nagpakawala ng tubig kahapon dahil sumagad na po pero handa naman po si Mayor Joy, napagsabihan po kaagad ‘yung sa downstream.

Okay. So, ito po ‘yung mga notices na inano po.

Ito po ‘yung hard-hit areas na nakikita namin, aside from NCR. Ito pong mga lugar na ‘to sa Bataan, Abucay. Iyan po ‘yung mga immediate needs na kinakailangan nila based sa mga tawag po. Even sa Rizal, sa bandang Cainta, San Mateo, Morong, Rodriguez, outside of Metro Manila, and parts of Batangas.

If we’re going to visit on flooded areas, ito po ang Region 3, 4-A, 4-B at NCR. Iyon pong mga nakalagay na immeasurable ang medyo matataas, parts of Bulacan and of course parts of Metro Manila na hanggang ngayon — medyo ‘yung iba halos hanggang bubong pa po, Mr. President. I’ll give to you these details po sa office po.

Ito po ‘yung number of casualties, walo po. For verification is actually 11. Ito po ‘yung mga missing persons. For verification, dalawa. Ngayon po, bilang kailangan siguro, ang puwede po nating magawa… Ang nangyayari po kasi rito ‘yung putik. Kamukha noong araw, ‘yung sobrang…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Iyon ang ano — na hanggang tuhod daw ‘yung putik na naiwan.

DILG SEC. ABALOS: Yes, sir, anyway, nandito naman po si Don Artes, nag-usap po kami, mayroon silang pantanggal ng putik, ‘yung mga high-power. So siguro po, mga LGUs, magtulungan na lang, ‘yun ang importante, tubig.

Pangalawa po, ‘yung leptospirosis. Magkakalat po ito. Department   of Health, siguro ‘yung mga gamot for lepto, dahil sa mga flooded area.

Pangatlo po, nandito po si Marbil, si Chief PNP, lootings. So, we’ve already ano — mga PNP on the ground para bantayan po ‘yung mga ito. And of course, ‘yun pong kuryente manumbalik na lang po, Mr. President.

Okay. That’s all, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you. Since many really of the… Because it’s a highly urbanized… Mayor Francis, you can give us an update. Ano ba talagang sitwasyon sa NCR? Where are the places that you have identified na talagang nangangailangan ngayon, na kailangan nating puntahan kaagad?

And what is the situation in each place? Ito ba… Kasi phases ‘yan ‘di ba. The rescue phase, tapos relief phase na. Nasaan ‘yung mga lugar na rescue phase pa rin hanggang ngayon? Nasaan ‘yung relief phase? At saka rebuilding phase na ‘yung susunod after that. So, anong assessment mo doon sa NCR?

SAN JUAN CITY MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA: Iyong CAMANAVA area po talaga ang tinamaan, Mr. President — Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and of course Marikina po.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Oo, kausap ko si Congressman Toby. Kaninang umaga, tumawag sa akin 6:30 sabi niya talagang nabaha sila, because there was that problem with the protection.

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN:  Mr. President, if I can jump in kasi doon ako umuuwi. That flooded district is my former district.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, Valenzuela also, oo.    

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: Iyong sinasabi ni Mayor Toby is the floodwall sa flank ng Navotas and Malabon.

But ‘yung amin, ang problema namin will always be Meycauayan River. We share that boundary with Bulacan already. So, whenever sabay-sabay na ‘yung rainfall, even the pumping stations hindi na kaya, even the tidal gates hindi na kaya.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Hindi kinaya. You have 11 pumping stations now that — were working, hindi kaya. Ondoy, we only had eight. Now, we have 11, hindi pa rin kaya.

Okay. Ayan si ano…

DILG SEC. ABALOS: Sir, ang pinakamalaking evacuation po is in Quezon City with 22,000, the biggest kay Mayor Joy. Pero ito po, up to now, nag-e-evacuate pa ho dahil maraming matitigas ang ulo, kung minsan nasa bubong na.

PRESIDENT MARCOS:  Ayaw talagang umalis?  

DILG SEC. ABALOS: Ayaw pong umalis kaya pinuwersa na ng mga pulis kasama ang mga mayors.   

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Hindi mo rin masisi ‘yung tao. But they really have to leave. Okay, are there more of these that we can have a look at?

Ito ‘yung mga — ito ‘yung nakita natin kahapon.

DILG SEC. ABALOS: Latest na ho ‘yan. Mga latest pictures na, sir.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, you know, what we are trying to do here is, essentially, to have a very good understanding of what the situation is on the ground so that you know when it comes to these things, whatever assets you have, whatever resources you have, there are always not enough.

And that’s why, it has to be focused. Kaya hindi puwedeng basta sasabihin, diyan, marami diyan basta padala kayo. We have to be very focused in the use of what we have.

So, that’s what we need to determine. Where are the areas that still are in the rescue phase na hanggang ngayon nagre-rescue pa tayo ng tao? Where are areas that are now in the relief phase? That doesn’t mean — kung minsan sabay ‘yan. That doesn’t mean that its’ not mutually exclusive, you can be in rescue phase and relief phase at the same time. So, that’s what we need to know. So, that all the agencies, I know where to send our people, where to send our trucks, where to send our relief goods, where to send financial assistance, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Iyon ang kailangan nating malaman.             

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) SECRETARY MANUEL BONOAN:  I just want to show, Mr. President that since yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways has already prepositioned our assets for quick response in all the regions that have been affected, Cordillera, NCR, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4-A, and even in Region 9 where the bypass road in Zamboanga is still closed.

And of course, the manpower there are all on standby and as of five o’clock this morning, Mr. President, we have already been deploying our people. In the affected roads concentrating initially on the main roads in the regions.

I’m happy to report, Mr. President, that in Cordillera, it’s only the Kennon Road that remains closed at this point in time and all the other roads — Cordillera are all in… Cordillera that remains closed in this, Mr. President, is actually in Kennon Road. And of course, NCR, this will be validated.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Iyong closure is generally caused by landslides?     

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: Yes, Mr. President.  And some in Region 3 are actually flooded sections.

PRESIDENT MARCOS:  May tubig pa?

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: But in Region 3, it was reported early this morning that the water is continuously receding. So, in a few hours, I think — their estimate is about three hours more and I think it will already be passable.

Particularly in Bataan, I understand, Mr. President. Region 4-A, there are sections in Region 4-A, but I think heavy vehicles can now pass through.

Now, I think the — I have instructed all our regional and district offices that once the clearing on the national roads, the main roads are finished and to continue to coordinate with the local governments, where they are — where they need actually the assistance of the department, to clear out ‘yung areas that — inaccessible for the moment.

I think, hindi naman masyadong marami yata, Mr. President, except in Cordillera, where they need actually some…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, NCR, malaki ang [inaudible]. Is that because of flooding or?  

METROPOLITAN MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MMDA) ACTING CHAIRMAN DON ARTES: Iyon pong isang tulay, Mr. President, mayroon po kasing ginagawa ang Toyo Construction Corporation. Ito po ay isang funded ng JICA na project na [inaudible] Marikina.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Where? Which one?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Sa Marikina River po. May 13 barges and tugboats na natangay po ng agos.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Nakita ko. Binangga ‘yung…

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES:  Bumangga po… ‘F. Manalo bridge. Ina-assess na po ng DPWH ‘yung extent ng damage. Pansamantala po naming ipinasara ‘yun kasama ng LGU ng Pasig, because baka hindi po safe dahil malakas pa po ‘yung agos.

Nakipag-coordinate na po kami sa office ni Sec. Jimmy at sa Coast Guard. Nandoon pa po kasi ‘yung mga barges na ‘yun na hindi pa po maalis kaagad dahil po malakas pa rin po ‘yung agos. Pero may kausap na po ang Coast Guard na mga salvage company na i-a-assess po kung paano maaalis.

Tinamaan din po ‘yung isa nating pumping station, isang floodgate sa Maybunga. Pero hindi naman po na-damage at hindi naapektuhan ‘yung operation.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: So, it’s passable now?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES:  Iyon pong bridge, hindi po. Isinara pa po natin kasi nga po hindi po sigurado. Mag-a-assess po ang DPWH this morning, Mr. President.

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: Mr. President, I received a report on this bridge, actually that was damaged — ‘yung sa barge. This was actually undertaken by the local government and apparently na-constrict po nang kaunti ‘yung kuwan… But this bridge is scheduled to be rehabilitated or reconstructed, Mr. President, because it’s mababa…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Masyadong mababa.

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: Masyadong mababa ‘yung freeboard niya. It’s not really designed for the bridges to pass through.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: So, nasapawan ito?

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: So, we’re going to reconstruct this bridge eventually. We have the funds for it, Mr. President. It’s just a matter of going through the design.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: I need a more detailed — which province, which city… Yes, we need specific figures. That’s why I’m trying to assess the damage is because I need to know how much help do they need. Each province is different, each region is different so I need to have… You know, this has to be a measured response simply because we cannot do anything otherwise. So, makasiguro tayo.

I’m sorry. I was just asking for the… We’re talking about what are the assistances that are needed. Right now, nakalagay lang dito is standard per province, per city, per municipality that’s why… I want us to be more ano… I’m not a great believer in the shotgun approach. We have to assess exactly what we need to do and we’ll go in so that we can go and do it. Yeah. Okay.

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: [inaudible] staff ni Senior Usec. Elaine. Kasi we’re talking to the CSWD [inaudible] and MSWD….

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yeah. What I’m trying to do now is to assess the situation so that we know what now we need to do, the national government needs to do, to provide the proper assistance in a timely manner for all of the areas that are — the most need of help.

All right. Sec. Jimmy, you have something to add to all of these?

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOTR) SECRETARY JAIME BAUTISTA: We have a situation. One fuel tanker capsized early this morning around 3.5 nautical miles from Limay, Bataan.

So, it has — it’s carrying 1,494 metric tons of industrial fuel. The Coast Guard responded to the distress call. In 35 minutes, the Coast Guard was there. But in five minutes, the boat already capsized. We were able to rescue 16 out of 17 crew, one is missing. There are some other private sectors that responded to the distress call and right now, the crew members are in the Coast Guard Ship 9702 and they are being taken cared of.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: This was a fuel tanker?

DOTR SEC. BAUTISTA: Yes, sir. It’s 1,494 metric tons ang carrying, sir…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: The vessel?

DOTR SEC. BAUTISTA: The vessel, sir, ‘no. So, it capsized at 1 o’clock early this morning and there is already oil spill, sir.

And right now, we cannot dispatch our resources because of strong winds and high waves ‘no. We already coordinated with the private sector, Harbor Star and they will deploy the resources as soon as it will be possible.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Can we please add an instruction to the DENR to make already an assessment on the environmental impact of this… Basically, what we need to assess is where was the — where is the capsized vessel? The fuel that’s being released ano… What are the tides? What are the winds? Where is it headed? Para maunahan na natin.

DOST maybe can also make some determinations on that. Hopefully, we can catch it before landfall. But with the seas being so… Malaki ang alon. Malaki ang dagat ngayon.

The Coast Guard was reporting three, four meters high na alon. So, it’s very hard to do anything. But, hopefully that will help us dilute the oil spill. Hopefully. But, we’ll see. We’ll have to make that determination as to where the tides are running, how the wind is running, if in case it is headed into — towards coastal areas, which coastal areas are those so that we can try and prepare for that.

DOTR SEC. BAUTISTA: So, Philippine Coast Guard, we’ve worked with all the other agencies.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes. We need to get the best information from them as we go on.

DOTR SEC. BAUTISTA: Yes, sir.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. All right. Is there anything else that anyone would like to add? We’ve heard from DSWD on the food packs. We’ve heard from Sec. Manny. All right, I think… Yeah, okay. Sige.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: We have a short presentation, Mr. President.

Sir, ito po ‘yung comparison noong Ondoy and Typhoon Carina sa Metro Manila. Noong Typhoon Ondoy po, sa Manila Observatory, 450 mm po ang naitalang lakas ng pag-ulan sa loob ng labindalawang oras. Ito po sa Typhoon Carina noong July 24, 329 mm po for 12 hours.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Sige, keep going. We can read this. It’s okay. Keep going. We need to get to the… Sige lang, sige lang. We can do away with all of these. Let’s get to the actual situation.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Iyong 71 pumping stations po natin ay gumagana. Nagkaroon lamang po ng problema ‘yung Libertad Pumping Station natin. May ginagawa po kasing upgrade diyan ang DPWH. Nagkaroon po ng sunog. So, ina-assess pa po ngayong umaga ‘yung damage at hopefully mapatakbo pa po natin ‘yung — tatlo pong pumps ‘yung nandiyan, na-damage po ‘yung isa. Hopefully…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Saan?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Sa Libertad Pumping Station po natin. Ang maaapektuhan po nito ay Makati and Pasay po kung hindi mapapatakbo. But we are working with DPWH para po mapagana at malagyan ng temporary pumps po itong Libertad Pumping Station natin.

Ito po ‘yung resources na dineploy ng MMDA. Ito po ‘yung sinasabi ko, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Ito ‘yung ano…

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: May video po ‘yung sa ano…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Iyong mga barge. Pati tugboat kasama…

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Iyan po ‘yung bumangga sa F. Manalo bridge, labintatlo pong barges ‘yan and tugboats. Iyon naman pong nasa middle, ‘yan po ‘yung tumama sa atin pong pumping station pero hindi naman po nakaapekto.

Nandiyan pa po iyan sa Marikina River at Coast Guard is working on it para po maalis ‘yun pong mga barges na ‘yan. Ito po ay pag-aari ng isang construction company na nagre-rehabilitate ng Marikina River.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Pero, kahit sinong — tugboat at saka barge na ganyan. Tingnan mo ‘yung agos o.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Yes, sir. Malakas po masyado ‘yung agos. Temporarily nakasara po ‘yang F. Manalo Bridge.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: When can we get an assessment on the safety, kung magamit ‘yung tulay?

DPWH SEC. BONOAN: Right now, Mr. President, our people are there now assessing the… Initial kuwan ko lang ho kagabi is actually that ‘yung tinitingnan lang ho nila isang pier yata that needs to be looked into immediately.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, right now. What we need to know is not what’s required but can we use it or not? Iyon na lang muna. Iyon na lang muna. Oo, kung magamit o hindi.

Oh, God. Ang lakas nung agos oh. Kahit anong gawin mo diyan, tugboat at saka barge, hindi mo makontrol talaga.

OFFICIAL: [off mic]

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Oo nga, oo. Kaya bumibilis ‘yung tubig. I know the place.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Saka mababa po talaga ‘yung tulay. It was constructed by the LGU po kasi and it was scheduled naman po for replacement by DPWH, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: All right, okay. So, what we need to do there is to get an assessment as to whether or not we can use the bridge.

That’s really the most important thing right now kasi what we’re trying to do is to have a… to be able to distribute whatever help, whatever assistance is required. But we have to know where that assistance is required.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: So far, Mr. President, nag-recede naman na po ‘yung tubig sa buong NCR. Mayroon na lang pong areas sa Quezon City, Marikina, CAMANAVA, and Manila na flooded pa.

Iyan po ‘yung as of 10 PM kahapon. Ito na lang po ‘yung may mga minimal flooding na lang naman po, Mr. President. Ang naapektuhan po ay 23,000 families at 94,100 evacuees.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: What does that mean? Flooded areas, 22, 10. 10 what?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: 10 streets po. Kalsada po ‘yan or areas, barangays.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: No. What is that number? 22 what?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: 22 areas po na may tubig.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: What does that mean?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Depende po kasi. May kalsada, may barangay, may mga sections po within the city na nagkaroon po ng tubig.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. How big an area has to be flooded to make it on to your list? So, ang minimum — halimbawa 22 sa Caloocan?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Mga siguro po pag mga 100 meters po na kalsada dini-declare na po namin.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Na flooded?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Flooded, opo.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. Understood. Okay. Now we know. All right.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: So, basically, Mr. President, ngayon po nasa relief, and reconstruction, and cleaning phase na po ang Metro Manila. Nagre-recede naman po continuously sa pagtila po ng ulan at gumagana po ang ating pumping stations. Mabilis naman po ‘yan. By lunchtime halos mabobomba na po natin ‘yan, except po ‘yung sa Malabon and Navotas.

Nabanggit niyo po ‘yung nasira nating navigational gate na nabangga po ng isang bangka. Nag-usap na po kami ni Congressman Toby, ni Mayor John Rey, at ni Mayor Jeannie, kasama po ang DPWH.

May schedule na po na ma-repair ‘yun within one month. Ang concern na lang po ay habang nire-repair po siya naka-open po ‘yung floodgate. So, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yung pagpasok ng tubig. Even po ‘pag walang bagyo, magkakaroon po ng pagbaha sa limang barangay sa Malabon at tatlo po sa Navotas.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Sec. Manny, mayroon ba tayong ano — anong remedyo diyan? Paano ba natin — puwedeng harangin man lang or is there something we can do? At least as an emergency measure and then we can go back and repair it properly.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Wala po, Mr. President. Ang design po kasi niyan…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: What does it look like? Iyong damage? May picture ba tayo niyan?

OFFICIAL: The navigational gate, Mr. President…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. And then I want to see what the damage is so that is there something that we can do — buhusan natin ng sandbag or something. I don’t know. Pero, we have to get an engineer to look at it and to tell us what we can do so that hindi tuloy-tuloy ang pasok ng tubig. Mataas pa rin ang tubig.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Ang porma po kasi niyan, Mr. President, semi-circle po.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Bumababa po siya sa floor pag naka-open para makadaan ‘yung mga bangka.

So, sa ngayon po kasi hindi natin maangat fully dahil nga po nasira ‘yung mga arm na mag-aangat sa kanya supposedly.

At pag ni-repair po kailangan po nasa open position siya. Meaning, naka-flat po siya sa ilalim.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. Since, hindi natin magawa ngayon ‘yun. Ano ‘yung maaari nating gawin para bawasan iyong inflow ng tubig?

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Malaki po kasi ‘yung channel, Mr. President. Ang ginawa po natin…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: They are still in the 80 percent flooded, in the 60 percent flooded hanggang ngayon parang hindi nagbago mula noong natigil ‘yung ulan. Ganun pa rin ‘yung taas ng tubig.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Opo kasi nga po… Kapag nag-hightide po kasi, papasok po talaga.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Talaga ‘yang mga area na ‘yan talagang well-known ‘yan under the sea level ‘yan. But that’s why nilagay natin ngayon ‘yun. So, since na-damage. Whatever it is… How do we fix it? We need an engineer sa assessment.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: DPWH po.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: O, sige patingnan mo nang mabuti para maayos natin. Kahit pangremedyo lang temporary. Saka natin balikan pag medyo bumaba na ‘yung tubig and let’s see what really we can do para ayusin ‘yung damage na nangyari.

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: If I can add taga-diyan kasi ako. Matagal ‘yan. Hindi siya earth dike, Mr. President. konti

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yeah. I know. I’ve seen…

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: Iyong kanila, ‘yung sa Malabon, Navotas mas sophisticated siya. Iyong sa Valenzuela, Obando, Meycauayan ang kongkreto lang na may tidal gates in the middle. Iyong kanila, mas ano siya…

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Para makadaan nga ‘yung…

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: Gumagalaw siya.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Para makadaan…

DSWD SEC. GATCHALIAN: It’s been open for two weeks now kasi may mga tao na humihingi ng food packs doon. So, we’ve been giving them for two weeks already.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: Hindi po kasi maitaas, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: Alam ko. Yes, I understand now. I’ve seen — I know the design. Yeah. That’s why we’ll just have to figure out something. I don’t know what it will be but we have to figure out something.

Magpatulong din tayo sa AFP kasi mayroon silang mga pang… How do you call this? Iyong mga instant na pagka may nasira, mayroon silang kapalit kaagad. Baka magamit natin. I don’t know.

Although, usually ‘yan tulay. Mabilis silang maglagay ng… But anyway. Again, we need an engineer’s assessment on that.

MMDA CHAIRMAN ARTES: That’s all for the MMDA.

PRESIDENT MARCOS: That’s it for MMDA. Okay. Well, okay. I think, we’re getting a reasonable picture already of what the… That kind of statistic or information is… We need that for the rest of the country.

I know it’s not easy because they’re blocked off but we need to get as quickly as possible a good assessment of what the situation is and what it is that we need to do.

Again, where do we send our people? Where do we send our goods? Where do we send our material? What state are they in now?

The next part of this is going to be healthcare. Kung minsan nakakalimutan ‘yun. But those in the evacuated areas will need to — kailangan mayroon silang clinic sa bawat evacuation center or at least may umiikot na — may medical team.

So, the DOH is not here but can we get that instruction out please to the DOH that the evacuation centers kailangan — lalo na ‘yung mga bata. We have to get some medical. Kahit na ‘yung mga BHW lang nila muna. Kahit ‘yung mga ano — hangga’t makarating ‘yung doktor doon.

Mag-assess lang sila that everybody is okay, if anybody…

Triage nang kaunti. Do a little triage to see if anybody is in need of immediate help.

The long-term problem usually pagka may ganito is gamot. So, that’s another thing we have to prepare with na may gamot. But the medicines I’m talking about are the obvious ones. Pag ka nalagnat…

But the other medicines are the maintenance medicines nung mga senior kasi nahiwalay sila doon sa kanilang supply.

So, we’ll have to also… But that that requires the prescription from a doctor. We cannot just buy statins and send them all to the ano… We have to get a doctor to prescribe para tama naman ‘yung ginagawa natin.

All right. Let’s go. Tingnan natin. Let’s see what the actual situation is out there. Okay. Thank you.

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