By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is continuously monitoring the situation in the country and overseeing the government’s coordinated disaster response efforts even while on an official visit in the United States, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stressed.
In a video message posted by the Presidential Communications Office Monday, Teodoro said he was instructed by the President to also closely monitor the disaster, relief, and other coordinated responses by the government.
“Umasa po kayo na 24/7 po nakatutok ang ating Pangulo dito po sa Amerika,” Teodoro said in a video message Monday.
Teodoro is part of the Marcos’ delegation during the President’s three-day official visit to the US from July 20–22, where he is set to meet with President Donald Trump.
The Defense chief said that disaster response mechanisms are in effect “round-the-clock” through the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell, the central command for preparation, rescue, and relief operations.
“Sinusubukan po natin hindi lang po sagutin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga nasalanta, kung hindi anticipate ang mga susunod pa na kinakailangan gawin,” he said.
Teodoro added that the Philippine government is also reaching out to other allies, including Japan, to bolster the country’s disaster response capabilities and ensure that assistance is delivered promptly to affected communities.
“Dito po makikita ng ating mga kababayan ang benepisyo ng pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga armed forces para makaligtas ang ating mga kababayan laban sa mga hamon ng kalikasan,” he said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday ordered the activation of all nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.
According to AFP Spokesperson, COL. Francel Padilla, no permission was sought from the US for the use of EDCA sites, although they remain in close coordination with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The DND is also in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure immediate distribution of aid to displaced and affected families.
In addition, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) deployed its Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) to help in the production and distribution of family food packs (FFPs) in calamity-hit areas in Northern Luzon on Sunday, July 20.
The Philippine Army, through its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) teams, has been working closely with local government responders to evacuate and rescue residents affected by floods, distribute relief goods, and conduct road-clearing operations in various areas.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) remains on “red” alert status due to the threat of a potential tropical cyclone and continuous effect of the southwest monsoon, according to OCD Officer-in-Charge, ASec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.
“Ang bilin niya (President Marcos) bago siya umalis na all agencies should be ready and should be able to assist ‘yong mga nangangailangan na [local government units],” Alejandro said. (with report from Patrick de Jesus / PTV News)
-jpv
