PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday ordered government agencies anew to further enhance the country’s disaster preparedness to reduce the impact of calamities and avoid fatalities.
The President issued the directive after leading the observance in Batangas of the National Day of Mourning for the victims of severe tropical storm “Kristine.” The observance included a Mass in Barangay Sampaloc in Talisay, and a visit to the affected areas in Talisay and Laurel.
Batangas reported the highest number of fatalities, 61 including 20 from Talisay.
The combined effects of Kristine and super typhoon “Leon” that followed have left at least 150 people dead and displaced nearly 750,000 individuals, mostly in the Calabarzon and Bicol regions. Twenty-one persons remained missing.
A new weather disturbance, tropical storm “Marce,” entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) yesterday morning. It may further intensity into a severe tropical storm and to a typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Marce was forecast to make landfall in Babuyan Islands or mainland northern Cagayan on Thursday night or early Friday.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Marce was some 740 km east of Virac, Catanduanes. It was moving west northwestward at 30 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, PAGASA said.
Marcos was joined in the Batangas trip by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Human Settlements Secretary Jose Acuzar, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Communications Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez.
Marcos expressed his sympathies to those who were devastated.
“Our goal is to avoid a repeat of the loss of lives to calamities. The typhoons now are stronger, wider in scope, and quick to change patterns, which is why I reiterate my directives to the different government agencies,” he said in Filipino.
The President, during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families in Talisay, said among his directives were for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to improve its warning systems and closely coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide the public with timely information and increase alertness.
Marcos said for the DILG, it should help strengthen the disaster preparedness and response of local government units, while for the National Disaster Risk and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other agencies, they should reassess their disaster response measures and improve them to ensure faster delivery of aid.
He said for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it should work on enhancing the slope protection designs of roads and bridges to make them more adaptable to changing climate patterns, while his directive to the Department of Trade and Industry was to assess construction materials to be used in projects.
FLOOD CONTROL
To prevent flooding, especially in low-lying areas, Marcos said the National Irrigation Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System should gradually reduce water levels in dams even before a typhoon arrives.
The President also directed the DPWH, DENR and other agencies to revise their flood control masterplans and expand the capacity of infrastructures to handle increasing flood risks.
In his visit in Laurel, the President said the recent flooding brought by the typhoons were unprecedented not only in the Philippines but also in other countries such as the United States and Spain.
He said flood control structures were in place but were overwhelmed by the volume of the rain and flood and the changing climate patterns.
Marcos said the such incidents had never happened before and “it is something that we have to deal with.”
“We have to be smarter, we have to be more technologically aware of what is available so that we can reduce the effects,” he said.
“That’s why we will change the designs; strengthen the infrastructure, flood control, slope protection. Even of the bridges. We have to change all that, we have to find designs),” he added.
The President also said he is amenable to a congressional probe on government’s flood control programs but emphasized that lawmakers should consider not just the budget but also the science involved in addressing floods.
“There has been nothing like this in the history of the Philippines. We are just facing it now. The people should understand that it is not just a budget issue but also the science),” he said.
The President also ordered the DPWH to prioritize repairs for the Bayuyungan Bridge and the roads in Agoncillo in Batangas, and vowed to support the completion of the Taal Lake Circumferential Road and Lobo Malabrogo – San Juan Laiya Road.
AID
The President led the distribution of P109.78 million worth of government aid to farmers and fisherfolks in Laurel, Talisay and Agoncillo towns in Batangas, under DSWD’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), as well as P60 million from the Office of the President or P10 million each to the local government of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Lemery, and Balete all in Batangas.
He acknowledged the contribution of the private sector like Metrobank Foundation Inc for its donation of P6 million worth of housing materials in Talisay, Agoncillo and Laurel.
Marcos, in a phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, expressed gratitude for Malaysia’s support, like its deployment of the Eurocopter EC-725 which played a vital role in delivering relief to flood-ravaged and isolated communities.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr said the airport in Basco, Batanes reopened on Sunday night, days after it was blocked by a Philippine Air Force plane which lost its front landing gear tire,
He said the damaged C-295 transport plane was towed to the side of the Basco airport on Sunday night.
“It (airport) can now resume operations. We can now bring relief goods there,” he said.
The military is traditionally tapped for search and rescue operations during disasters and transport of relief goods needed by those affected. – With Victor Reyes
