Marcos: Officials mustn’t ‘chill’ during disasters

Malacañang on Tuesday scolded local leaders who left for abroad even as warnings were aired about strong typhoons headed toward the country, saying that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expects hands-on leadership during disasters.

“First of all, the President doesn’t like this. He doesn’t want the leadership to just chill,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters, adding that officials should be present for their constituents, especially when there’s a disaster or a flood like this.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the immediate cancellation and suspension of all foreign travel for elective and appointive local officials from 9 to 15 November.

The department has so far canceled some 40 travel leaves as it investigates reports that some officials traveled abroad despite warnings about typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan.”

“Let’s let him do his (DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla) investigation first,” Castro said, when asked if Malacañang would take separate action. The Palace has deferred to the DILG, which oversees local officials’ conduct.

The travel probe comes amid a sprawling, multi-agency response to “Tino” and “Uwan,” which inflicted heavy damage on agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said losses have reached P142.29 million, with 2,482 hectares damaged, and an estimated production loss of 8,235 metric tons of rice, corn, high-value crops, and livestock.

The DA is mobilizing P379.31 million in farm inputs, P1.24 million in animal feeds, and P771,620 in bangus and tilapia fingerlings.

Relief measures include 2.57-million bags of rice from the National Food Authority, zero-interest loans of up to P25,000 under the Survival and Recovery program, and crop insurance indemnification.

Power restored

Power disruption has been widespread. The Department of Energy (DoE) reported that nine on-grid power plants remain offline and 63 off-grid plants are under restoration; transmission lines were damaged, and 454 of 712 affected municipalities have had power restored — leaving roughly 3.4-million customers still without electricity.

“The top priority is the swift restoration of energy to critical facilities such as hospitals, evacuation centers, telecom and water utilities,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said, adding that fuel supply chains were being closely monitored.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported 16 toppled transmission towers, 12 leaning towers, and dozens of damaged conductors, complicating restoration in Bicol, Quezon and parts of the Visayas.

The NGCP said it could take months to estimate the total damage, though the DoE has set a 10-day target for restoring critical transmission links.

President Marcos has ordered 24-hour clearing operations and deployed Cabinet secretaries to lead ground relief and assessment efforts.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said 26 impassable national roads have been cleared, while clearing continued on sections across the Cordilleras, Region II, Region V, and other areas.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of family food packs in Catanduanes, while Health Secretary Ted Herbosa headed medical missions in Leyte. Education and tourism officials have been dispatched to assess school and livelihood damage.

The contrasting images of officials on the ground while others are abroad have fed the public frustration. Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano’s comment encouraging people to “just chill” in the aftermath of the calamities drew Castro’s ire and spurred a reproach from the Palace.