By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reiterated his call for a “whole-of-government” approach to ensure continuous delivery of assistance to communities severely affected by massive flooding and heavy rains.
“Upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa sa oras ng sakuna, nanawagan si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ng pagpapatupad ng whole-of-government approach para masiguro ang walang-tigil na tulong at suporta ng gobyerno sa mga kababayan nating binaha dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan dala ng Bagyong Crising, Dante, Emong at ng hanging habagat,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing at Malacañang.
According to Castro, the President directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection to deploy their respective search, rescue, and retrieval teams in flooded areas.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was tasked with ensuring prompt distribution of family food packs and other essential aid before, during, and after the calamity.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are intensifying clearing operations along major roads as well as clogged waterways.
The President also directed DPWH and MMDA to ensure that all pumping stations and floodgates are operating at full capacity.
“Kabilang na din sa hakbang ng pamahalaan ang pag-update ng DPWH Flood Control and Drainage Masterplans para sa Metro Manila, 18 major river basins, at iba pang critical principal rivers upang masigurong epektibo ang flood control measures. Binibilisan na rin ng MMDA at DPWH ang pag-update ng comprehensive drainage masterplan,” Castro added.
The Departments of Agriculture as well as Trade and Industry are instructed to enforce strict price monitoring to prevent price manipulation, especially in areas placed under state of calamity.
“Nananawagan naman ang Pangulo sa mga kababayan natin na patuloy na makinig at sumunod sa mga tagubilin at anunsiyo ng mga lokal na pamahalaan upang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan sa oras ng sakuna,” Castro noted.
“Lagi pong tandaan: Ang lahat ay dapat na nagtutulungan upang maiwasan ang anumang sakuna dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, bawat buhay ay mahalaga at ang bawat isa ay may bilang.”
-av
