President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has mobilized the entire government machinery to ensure aid to storm victims, restore power and provide clean drinking water and purifying systems.

During a situation meeting, the Chief Executive wanted the Bicol region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao be placed under a state of calamity.

He directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government to assist the BARMM in downloading calamity funds and tasked the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to submit a draft resolution recommending the declaration of a national state of calamity for his review.

Severe storm "Paeng" swept out of the country on Sunday, leaving at least 48 people killed, most of them from a series of flash floods and landslides that destroyed villages in Mindanao Friday.

As emergency workers scrambled to rescue residents trapped by floods in and around the Philippine capital on Sunday, the national government moved as one to assist almost 380,000 people affected by the storm.

Marcos prioritized the provision of clean drinking water, particularly in the BARMM. He also ordered the immediate restoration of electricity particularly in hospitals and evacuation centers.

Luzon flooding subsided

Four Cabinet secretaries conducted an aerial inspection of areas in Region IV-A.

"During our inspection, we saw that flooding has subsided, and reports come in from our regional agencies in their continuous relief operations, not just in (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon region), but in all regions affected by the storm," NDRRMMC chairperson Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., said.

Faustino was joined by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

Restore connections, clear roads.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has been ordered to activate satellite phones and cellular assistance in areas with unstable signals.

Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to clear impassable roads and put up Bailey-type temporary bridges to facilitate relief, medical, and rescue mission access.

Tulfo assured the public, especially those severely affected by "Paeng," of government support.

"Help is on its way, if not today, the latest will be tomorrow morning wherever you are. If we cannot reach you by land, our air assets are there," Tulfo said.

The DSWD has started the distribution of food packs and water to storm victims.

"We share our sympathies with those affected, especially those who have lost their loved ones. We'll ensure that we'll continue extending help and responding to the needs of those affected by the storm," Faustino said.

Palace squelches rumors

Malacanang denied speculations that Marcos was in Japan while "Paeng" was battering the country.

"He is not in Japan," said Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil.

In a related development, a local restaurant in Laoag, Ilocos Norte posted several photos of Marcos, with his son Vincent and nephew Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc.

The restaurant claimed that the First Family had lunch at their store on Sunday.

Go sends sympathy, help

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go commiserated with the families hardest hit by "Paeng".

He reassured his commitment to helping affected communities as his office has been coordinating closely with concerned agencies and affected local government units.

"In coordination with concerned agencies, we are here to help. Tutulong po kami sa abot ng aming makakaya para makapagpadala ng mga agarang suporta at maibsan man lang ang bigat na dinadala ng ating mga kababayan," reaffirmed Go.

The senator urged authorities to intensify their interventions and make certain that their respective constituents receive the necessary support and protection to hasten their recovery.

He reiterated the need for the government to focus on building a more disaster-resilient nation as he renewed his call for the passage of his legislative measures that are aimed at effectively and efficiently addressing natural and human-induced disasters and other calamities.

"The extent of devastation caused by this typhoon and recent calamities makes our call to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience and to build mandatory evacuation centers in every town, city, and province more relevant than ever," Go underscored.

who have lost lives, let us do our best to ensure we can save more lives now and protect more lives in the future," Go underscored.

He was referring to his Senate Bill No. 193 which shall mandate the establishment of safe and clean evacuation centers in every city, province, and municipality nationwide.

BARMM gets help

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. said it is ready to assist the flood-hit Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"Although the BARMM is autonomous and has its own management system, the DILG is ready to support the region in times of need. We are all Filipinos living in the same country so we have a responsibility to each other and it is our duty to work together," said Abalos who reported that a total of 158,000 individuals have been evacuated.

On Saturday afternoon, the President directed the national government agencies, including the DILG, to extend help to BARMM, hardest hit by "Paeng."

Based on the latest report, 40 people died, 31 were injured and 15 others were reported missing in the region. Close to 58 percent of residents in the province were also affected which is equivalent to 83,326 families or 416,630 affected individuals.

"It is very sad that there were casualties in the midst of this storm and we deeply sympathize with those who lost their lives in BARMM. We continue to communicate to support them during this time," Abalos said.

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