By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Not long after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered all government agencies to facilitate the swift distribution of aid and spearhead recovery efforts in areas affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, the Palace shared the progress achieved by the administration in restoring important services to storm-affected communities.

At the Malacañang press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said over 60% of typhoon-hit areas have regained power.

Castro cited data from the Department of Energy (DOE), which notes the restoration of electricity in 454 out of the 712 municipalities affected by Uwan, with ongoing restoration efforts for three million consumer connections affected by bad weather.

She also cited a report from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), noting the restoration of cellular connectivity in storm-ravaged areas.

As of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, the progress of telecommunications companies were as follows: Smart Communications – 82%; Globe Telecom – 77%; Dito Telecommunity – 63%; and Converge – 79%.

Castro said, “Mabilis na aksyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., nagbunga ng agarang solusyon sa supply ng kuryente at cell sites sa mga binagyong lugar.”

Interventions from other gov’t agencies

The Palace mouthpiece, moreover, noted a total of 600,000 family food packs (FFPs) and more than 21,000 ready-to-eat (RTEF) boxes distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to areas affected by consecutive typhoons.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa has traveled to Leyte to oversee relief and medical operations in the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, St. Bernard, Sogod, and Bontoc. He also visited the Leyte Emergency Operations Center to check on healthcare workers.

Castro said, “Prayoridad ni Secretary Herbosa ang personal na mabantayan at masiguro ang kalusugan ng mga residenteng apektado ng Tino at Uwan,” said Castro.

The DOH continues to distribute medicines and nutritional commodities to affected communities in Leyte, with P8.2 million worth of logistics allocated for the entire region.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco was also closely monitoring the impact of these typhoons on local tourism.

President Marcos also ordered round-the-clock clearing operations to facilitate uninterrupted access to areas affected by Super Typhoon Uwan.

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