Aquino arrives in devastated Cagayan de Oro City

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — President Aquino arrived Tuesday morning in this heavily distressed city to inspect communities damaged by tropical storm” Sendong” and interact with survivors of flood which local officials said was the worst ever in this part of Mindanao.

Local disaster risk reduction and management officials will brief President Aquino on the extent of the damage and what needs to be done for the affected areas. He is also scheduled to distribute relief goods to affected families.

Among the officials expected to join the briefings are Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Environment Concerns Adviser Nereus Acosta, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Mindanao affairs adviser Lualhati Antonino, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Undersecretary Benito Ramos, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriquez and Cagayan De Oro Mayor Vincent Emano.

President Aquino is also slated to visit Iligan City and Dumaguete City on Tuesday.