Duterte to visit areas hit by ‘Rosita’

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte sympathizes with the victims who lost their loved ones in a landslide in Naga City, Cebu. The President visited the victims who are currently taking shelter at the Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC) on September 21, 2018. Joining the President are Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo and Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday expressed condolences to the families of victims of Typhoon Rosita, saying President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the affected areas to personally assess the situation.

“The Palace wishes to express its deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who perished in Natonin, Mountain Province, when the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) building was covered by a landslide, along with others who died due to the typhoon,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

According to media reports, at least 30 people were feared buried under a massive landslide in Natonin.

“Efforts to look for survivors are going on and we pray for the rescue of those still trapped or missing,” Panelo said.

Panelo said Duterte has directed all government agencies to immediately respond and undertake measures to help the victims and families and to rehabilitate the typhoon-ravaged areas, including the clearing and repairing of roads that have become inaccessible or impassable.

“PRRD is on top of the situation, and he, together with the rest of the members of Cabinet, will visit the affected areas to assess the situation,” Panelo said.

“The public can count on the government that it will undertake all necessary actions and not take a load off, if need be, during this time of adversity,” he added.

As per the situation report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday morning, Panelo said a total of 11,878 families, or 38,398 persons, were affected in 478 barangays in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and CAR; and a total of 8,864 families, or 32,519 persons, were pre-emptively evacuated in the said regions.

The NDRRMC report further indicates that a total of 10 incidents, which include landslide and flooding were reported in Cagayan Valley and CAR.

The government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with the local government units (LGUs), has already provided a total of Php834,304.90 worth of assistance.