President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to ensure immediate assistance to residents affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, while continuing response efforts for Typhoon Tino.
On Monday, the President presided over a situation briefing on Uwan’s impact at the Presidential Security Command (PSC) Command Operations Center in Malacañang. He emphasized the need for sustained disaster response and close monitoring of affected areas.
The President specifically instructed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH) to maintain aid operations and deploy medical teams to evacuation centers.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was ordered to begin the rehabilitation of damaged roads as soon as possible to facilitate relief operations.
Marcos also reminded government agencies to maintain ongoing efforts addressing the impacts of Typhoon Tino, which struck concurrently with Uwan.
He praised preemptive evacuation measures, noting that the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) confirmed that 426,000 families were evacuated ahead of the storm, significantly reducing casualties.
According to the OCD, Pangasinan was the hardest-hit province, suffering from massive flooding.
Floodwaters are now receding, but rescue operations continue. Two fatalities have been confirmed, with two more pending validation.
The storm also left 71 roads impassable across Central Luzon, Aurora province, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, particularly in Mountain Province, Benguet, and Apayao.
A total of 155 power interruptions were recorded, mostly in the Ilocos region, of which 15 have been restored.
In Aurora, landslides have isolated one area, and a national road from Dipaculao to Casiguran remains cut off.
The DSWD reported that the Bicol region recorded the highest number of families in evacuation centers, with 100,050 families affected, including 44,000 in Camarines Sur.
Around 20,000 families were affected in Quezon province. Officials expect evacuees to return home once floodwaters subside.
Ahead of Uwan’s landfall on Saturday, Marcos placed all government agencies on full alert. Preemptive evacuations were undertaken, and rescue vehicles and relief goods were prepositioned in high-risk areas to safeguard public safety.