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MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “remains in control of the situation” and is constantly in touch with officials on efforts to assist typhoon victims even while in the US, said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Ermita was responding to calls by Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines president, for Arroyo to come home.

A similar call was made early Tuesday by the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Ermita said there was no need for the President to cut short her visit, adding that the trip was scheduled long before and that when she left, the situation was not bad.

“She’s been constantly in touch with us. Our President is concerned at what happened. She’s in control of the situation,” Ermita said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that the President would also give instructions to heads of various agencies from time to time. “It seems the President is very much with us,” Duque said.

Arroyo’s next video conference is scheduled at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday (Manila time).

She was unable to preside over Tuesday morning’s meeting due to functions that she had to attend in the US where she is on a 10-day official visit.

• 50% of flu victims in their teens, pre-teens
• CBCP happy with poll automation development
• De Castro unveils good governance agenda
• Prayer power for Aquino spreads to Internet
• CBCP head favors partial poll automation
• Automation firms say machines 100% accurate
• Hundreds of Moro rebels slain—military