Palace assures victims of Maring: Gov’t acts on rescue, assistance requests

Disaster response teams spring into action as Severe Tropical Storm Maring wreaks havoc in northern Luzon. FILE PHOTO from the provincial government of La Union

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday said it is closely monitoring operations for Severe Tropical Storm Maring and assured people affected that the government is acting on all rescue and assistance requests.

“Rescue personnel and teams from the local government units are on the scene as we assure all requests for rescue and assistance are being acted upon by all relevant agencies,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“Support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection are likewise mobilized and deployed,” he added.

Roque noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has standby funds of over P128 million as of October 10.

A total of 373,737 family food packs, worth around P219 million, are also available, he shared.

Citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Roque said that restoration of power and water supply and road clearing operations are underway in affected areas.

As of Thursday, 6 a.m., 478 families or 1,638 individuals were affected by Maring, NDRRMC reported.

Further, Roque advised the public to continue taking precautionary measures, among others.

“We ask the public to continue to take precautionary measures, observe minimum public health standards, and cooperate with their respective local authorities in case of an evacuation,” Roque said.

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JPV