President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. File photo / PPA POOL
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured Filipinos that he has been intently monitoring the effects of Typhoon Egay in the Philippines even when he was in Malaysia for a state visit, noting that key officials have been reporting to him directly.
Marcos in an interview with reporters on Thursday, before he left Kuala Lumpur, said that none of the agencies directly involved in disaster response like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) were with him in Malaysia, as they are in the Philippines to address concerns.
“Well, if you notice, none of the agency heads on these disaster responses are here. I am getting twice daily reports from (Social Welfare and Development) Secretary (Rex) Gatchalian and from Pagasa and from the Coast Guard (Commandant), Admiral (Artemio) Abu,” Marcos said.
“So, I’m in constant touch,” he added.
According to the Chief Executive, the top concern now for the government is the clearing of roads and pathways so that state assets can move in to areas that may need relief or rescue operations.
“In the moment that the roads are passable, the moment that we are able to provide relief … well, right now, it’s rescue kasi may mga stranded pa, mayroon nabaha. So, rescue and then eventually relief. We will do it immediately,” he added.
Marcos — who hails from Ilocos Norte — said that he is familiar with the situation in the north, and has actually sent personnel and relief aid as pre-positioned assets in preparation for Egay.
“I know that most of the responders, first responders are already up north. Nag-landing na yata ‘yung iba sa Tuguegarao and the others landed to Laoag to go down to also to Ilocos Sur and then up to Abra,” he added.
“I’m familiar with the situation in Ilocos Norte, for example, nagka-problema lang sa equipment pero nakabalik na. Most of them were also shut down on purpose as we do pagka may bagyo. So, pinabalik na pagka – iinspeksyunin lang ‘yung mga linya na walang naputol,” he added.
Over social media, there have been some critics questioning as to why Marcos pushed through with the Malaysia trip when state meteorologists predicted that Typhoon Egay would bring strong winds and rains over the northern part of Luzon.
In Twitter, some users have revived the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo, used to ask for past presidents’ whereabouts when they became missing in action during important events, or during calamities.
Marcos’ cousin and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez earlier asked affected residents to stay calm, assuring the public that help is on the way.
“President Marcos is doing everything he can to assist, help and provide assistance to Super Typhoon Egay victims. We want to make sure that at this time of extreme need, the people should feel that their government is with them,” Romualdez said.
“We have already raised funds for relief, and we are trying to raise more. We expressed gratitude to all first responders. What is important is we help bring back the lives of victims to normalcy,” he added.
READ: Egay-hit Northern Luzon residents can count on gov’t aid – Romualdez
According to Romualdez, his office and that of Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre have already mounted a P128.5 million in relief goods and financial assistance, coming from the Speaker’s personal calamity fund and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Romualdez, who was with Marcos in Malaysia, said that he will visit some of the affected areas on Friday.
READ: Super Typhoon Egay pummels Northern Luzon