PBBM assures immediate aid to Egay victims

RELIEF OPERATION. Family food packs for victims of Typhoon Egay are being readied for distribution in this undated photo. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday (July 27, 2023) guaranteed that the government would provide immediate assistance to the typhoon victims. (Photo: Department of Social Welfare and Development/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday guaranteed that the government would provide immediate assistance to the victims of Typhoon Egay (international name Doksuri).

“Right now, it’s rescue kasi may mga stranded pa. Mayroon nabaha (rescue operations are being conducted for those who have been stranded because of the flood). So, rescue and then eventually relief. We will do it immediately,” Marcos, who is in Malaysia for a three-day state visit, said in a media interview.

He said he is in constant communication with concerned government agencies during the onslaught of the typhoon to check on the condition of the typhoon victims.

He noted that before Egay made its landfall, he had already instructed concerned government agencies and the local government units to deploy rescue teams and equipment to ensure the safety of those who would be displaced.

Marcos said he had also ordered the prepositioning of food packs, especially in Northern Luzon, before the landfall of the typhoon.

“I know that most of the responders, first responders are already up north. Nag-landing na yata ‘yung iba sa (Some landed in) Tuguegarao and the others landed to Laoag to go down to Ilocos Sur and then up to Abra,” he said.

He said officials involved in the disaster response, including Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, did not join his Malaysia trip to monitor the developments in typhoon-hit areas.

The President said he is receiving updates from Gatchalian, as well as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Abu.

“If you notice, none of the agency heads on these disaster responses are here. I am getting twice daily reports from Secretary Gatchalian and from PAGASA and from the Coast Guard, Admiral Abu,” he said.

Marcos said he is fully aware of the situation, especially in the hard-hit areas, such as Ilocos Norte.

Electricity in the affected areas will be restored fully once the situation improves, he said, adding that the government is ready to provide seedlings to affected farmers.

Egay left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday and is forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of Fujian, China on Friday morning.