Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday brushed off claims that the national government had neglected Mindanao particularly the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao severe tropical storm "Paeng's" onslaught.

The DILG chief stressed that under the BARMM's government structure, it has its own funding and agencies independent from the national government so they are not neglecting it.

"That's not true. We have to understand the structure of government, we have a structure," Abalos said in a radio interview, adding that the agency is also closely working with BARMM regarding the status of search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

"We asked them what they needed, the person from BARRM said, they don't need anything for now. They would exhaust all their resources if they will need something," Abalos said.

He added that relief packs and 30 desalination machines were sent even if BARMM officials have yet to seek assistance from the national government and stressed that the DILG is also working with concerned national government agencies to respond to affected families and mitigate the loss of lives and damages to property.

"Further, the Department is closely coordinating with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the BARMM which is now under a state of calamity to help them access their calamity funds to provide assistance to the affected families," Abalos said.