President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appealed once again to the public to practice bayanihan (teamwork) amid the onslaught of the three typhoons that battered the Philippines.
“To our fellow countrymen: none of our preparations will be successful without your help. We also ask for your cooperation, your discipline, vigilance, and solidarity as responsible citizens,” he said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He emphasized that following orders, early evacuation, and avoiding danger areas contribute to the implementation of government disaster protocols.
“Kooperasyon sa mga malawakang ensayo, pagsunod sa mga babala at tagubilin, tulad ng agarang paglikas at pag-iwas sa mga ‘danger zones’; disiplina, lalo na sa wastong pagtapon ng basura,” he said. “Monitoring every hour, every day: especially when severe weather is threatening, by knowing the nearest evacuation center, listening to real news, and following government guidelines.”
Marcos said these situations may be difficult, but they are a necessary sacrifice to ensure the public is kept out of danger, because “every life is important.”
Days before his fourth SONA, Marcos visited Filipinos affected by rains and floods caused by the southwest monsoon. He checked on disaster-hit areas such as Rizal, Navotas, and Pampanga.