President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured the public that government agencies are prepared to respond to Tropical Storm Kristine, which has caused flooding in the country, particularly in the Bicol region.
In an interview, he stated that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have prepositioned goods and equipment near affected areas to ensure a swift response.
“Our goods and equipment are prepositioned as close as possible without risking damage, so they’re near the areas that need servicing once the storm passes,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is on standby to provide airlift support since some roads remain impassable.
The AFP is closely monitoring the situation to activate Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, which were established for emergencies like this.
The president expressed confidence in the preparedness of various government agencies but acknowledged that frequent storms are straining resources. He noted that budgeting issues persist due to the recurring typhoons hitting the Philippines.
“There are budgeting issues simply because we have so many typhoons passing through. But that’s not something we should worry about; we will be able to handle it,” he reassured.
Additionally, President Marcos confirmed reports from Camarines Sur, where flooding has submerged half the province. He pointed out that both Camarines Sur and nearby Albay lie in a basin and are prone to severe flooding.
Tropical Storm Kristine, the latest in a series of storms affecting the country, continues to impact several regions with heavy rainfall and flooding. Government response teams are on standby to assist affected areas as soon as conditions allow.
