MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday tasked concerned government agencies to warn and support communities first before releasing water from dams especially in Luzon to avoid accidents and loss of lives.
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| Photo courtesy: Presidential Communications Office |
President Marcos issued the directive during a situation briefing to assess the effects of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“[‘Yung] mga areas na aabutan… naabisuhan lang o napadalhan natin ng tulong para mag-evacuate? That’s what we need to do,” the President said during the situation briefing.
“Iwasan natin ‘yun. Kulang ‘yung pagsasabihan lang natin. Kailangan magpapadala tayo ng sasakyan para [sa evacuation]. [Madala sa] pinakamalapit na evacuation center o puwedeng gamitin na evacuation center,” he said.
“Ilipat muna sila doon kahit overnight. So, that’s we have to — we have to prepare for the downstream.”
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. told the President that it should be part of the protocol to warn downstream communities of an impending water release from dams.
Earlier in the day, President Marcos directed all concerned government agencies to provide swift assistance to communities affected by monsoon rains. He also ordered the agencies to “promptly and effectively” extend the communities all the necessary support.
In his social media posting, the President said the government has prepositioned PhP2.88 billion worth of aid and close to 4,500 personnel on standby for search, rescue and retrieval operations.
The government has so far distributed assistance amounting to PhP43.15 million to residents affected by the southwest monsoon in Visayas and Mindanao, assisting 770,000 individuals.
— The Summit Express
