President Rodrigo Duterte assured that authorities will use all government assets to strengthen and expedite the recovery of areas heavily affected by Typhoon Odette.
The President gave the assurance in a command conference on Dec. 23 with government agencies and local government units in Lapu-Lapu City.
“The guidance is, to all the military and the police, to use all available assets as the need would – to surmount the challenges that we are trying to – well, fix, while nandito pa itong pandemic… My plan is to – all assets of the government must be utilized,” he said.
Duterte also enjoined other agencies to join the government response, as the province of Cebu continues to experience a water supply problem following the typhoon.
“Iyong lahat ng mga bumbero sa munisipyo na walang ano, they have to help in transporting especially water…Kung kulang pa, well, it’s the Air Force,” he said.
“Kung kulang pa, bilihin lahat ng tubig sa areas na hindi tinamaan kagaya ng Luzon and especially those places where there is a waterworks system,” he added.
Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said almost 1,500 military personnel are deployed in the area, and a Navy vessel is again set to deliver 253 tons relief goods, 56 tons of water supply, generator sets, solar lights, medicines, and 7.5 tons of family tents.
Interior Sec. Eduardo Año said local government units “will take the first response” on top of the efforts of the uniformed troops. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG – jlo
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