Marcos orders full gov’t response to flood crisis

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to fully mobilize resources in response to the widespread flooding caused by days of torrential rains, assuring the public that support is already being delivered to affected areas even as he departs for an official visit to the United States.

Marcos issued these directives in a recorded message on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) from Washington, D.C., where he is currently on a three-day official visit, stressing he had already given clear instructions to various government departments and agencies to work in close coordination to ensure the safety and well-being of affected communities.

“Sa aking mga kababayan, bago po kami umalis ng Maynila upang pumunta sa Amerika para bumisita, nag-official visit po tayo sa Pangulo ng Amerika, si President Trump, ay nabigyan ko na ng instruction ang lahat ng ating mga ahensiya na paghandaan ang naging baha dahil sa napakalakas na ulan (To my fellow Filipinos, before we left Manila to visit the United States for an official visit with the President of America, President Trump, I had already given instructions to all our agencies to prepare for the flooding caused by the heavy rains),” Marcos said. 

Marcos ordered the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Energy, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to coordinate closely and work together in delivering timely assistance.

He underscored that relief goods are already being delivered to hard-hit areas, accompanied by medical teams, and that essential services, such as transportation, electricity, and clean water supplies, are being secured and restored.

Meanwhile, the President also called on the public to remain vigilant and follow advisories from local government units and national agencies. “Please listen to the advisories from your LGUs and the national government, and follow them so you don’t end up in danger,” he urged.

Acknowledging the intensifying impact of severe weather disturbances, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s disaster response mechanisms.

“Nandito kami lagi upang magbigay ng lahat ng serbisyo na kailangan sa harap ng hamon ng climate change (We are always here to provide the services needed in the face of the challenges brought about by climate change),” he said. 

“Siguraduhin natin mas lalo pang mapalakas ang kakayahan ng pamahalaan na tumugon sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon (Let’s make sure to further strengthen the government’s ability to respond to this kind of situation).”

Marcos is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump during his official visit. He reassured Filipinos that domestic response efforts remain a top priority amid the inclement weather.