The government has distributed over P43 million worth of assistance while P2.88 billion more is on standby for families displaced by Typhoon “Carina” and the accompanying enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat,” President Marcos said yesterday.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Mr. Marcos said P43.15 million has been handed out to more than 770,000 individuals affected by a series of weather disturbances in Visayas and Mindanao over the past week.
The President noted that P2.88 billion worth of prepositioned aid and nearly 4,500 personnel are on standby for search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
“I have instructed all concerned agencies to provide swift assistance to all those affected by Typhoon #CarinaPH and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon,” the chief executive added.
Mr. Marcos also directed government agencies to focus on providing assistance in areas that are isolated as non-stop rains continue to batter parts of the country.
During a situation briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, he directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) to continue their relief operations especially those within “critical areas.”
“You [DSWD] work with the OCD so that you can focus your attention on those areas that we will have to service that are presently isolated,” Marcos instructed.
He also asked the OCD to identify critical areas where residents may be out of food and other supplies.
“That is very important because they have not eaten for days. So as soon as possible, our supplies should be ready when we come in because they are our priority. These are critical situations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Department of Finance is ready to tap $500-million of standby credit extended by the World Bank to the Philippines to support the government’s disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon “Carina.”
“These funds will be immediately withdrawn and released once the President declares a state of calamity,” he said in a statement.
“This will allow us to rapidly deliver critical services like healthcare, shelter, and food to those affected by typhoon Carina as well as fund post-disaster emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction efforts,” the finance chief added.
The Offices of the House Speaker and the Tingog party-list also launched relief operations for thousands of flood victims, beginning with those in Marikina City.
Speaker Martin Romualdez and Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre of Tingog oversaw the relief operations that provided an initial 20,000 food packs from the Speaker’s Disaster Relief Funds to aid families in dire need.
Each packs contains 3 kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee and other items.
“The government, under the leadership of President Marcos, has shown its commitment and dedication to responding to the needs of the people during this calamity,” Romualdez said.
“The President’s hands-on approach highlights the administration’s commitment to disaster response and resilience, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in times of crisis,” the Speaker added.
For her part, Rep. Yedda Romualdez said their relief operations are designed to complement the initiatives undertaken by the national government.
“The focus is on addressing both immediate needs and long-term recovery, with particular attention given to vulnerable populations who have been most affected by the heavy rains and flooding,” she said.
With relief efforts short of manpower, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) called for volunteers to help in the repacking of family food packs (FFPs) for households affected by the weather disturbance.
“We request interested individuals or groups to join us as we repack relief goods for our kababayans affected by the typhoon and the habagat. This will ensure that we have enough food packs to sustain the needs of our kababayans,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.
The Social Welfare Department said those interested to volunteer may contact, Shara Lee of the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) at mobile number 09260612646 and email address msllee@dswd.gov.ph for scheduling.
“We thank in advance those who want to join us in the production of family food packs. We know that the spirit of volunteerism is alive in times like this,” she said.
The immensity of the rescue efforts has also caused the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Southern Police District (SPD) to activate its Search and Rescue Teams.
SPD chief Police Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete said his office has identified 142 evacuation centers, with 36 currently occupied, affecting 929 families and 3,278 individuals as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Seven SPD police stations, along with local barangay units, have collaborated in road clearing operations to remove fallen tree branches and debris obstructing the roads, Rosete added.
Meanwhile, he noted that police personnel have been stationed at evacuation centers, especially in flood-prone areas.
At the Upper Chamber, Senator Robin Padilla directed his staff to set up hotlines to help those affected by floods and other emergencies brought about by the typhoon.
Padilla’s office is coordinating with the NDRRMC and other concerned agencies to respond to calls for help.
Hotlines include the following — Landline: 85715175, Globe: 0995 224 5978, and Smart: 0931 007 9769 and 0961 413 9588, Padilla’s office announced.
For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday pressed anew the need to construct dedicated evacuation centers to avoid using schools as evacuation centers and thereby disrupting classes.
The lawmaker pointed out that the common practice of using public schools as evacuation centers has caused students to fall behind on their studies.
Under Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 37 s. 2022, the use of schools as evacuation centers shall not exceed 15 days.
