Marcos to send rubber boats requested by Naga, Robredo amid floods

PLEASANTRIES Two-time election rivals President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Vice President Leni Robredo cross paths during Thursday’s inauguration of a P1.2-billion sports arena in Sorsogon City. During the height of tropical storm Kristine, Marcos vows to send rubber boats to Naga City to help in the local government’s rescue efforts. — MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The rubber boats requested by Naga City local government unit (LGU) and former Vice President Leni Robredo for rescuing those stranded in flood waters will be sent as soon as authorities can safely get in the area, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

He said this on the sidelines of a situation briefing with various government agencies at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headquarters in Quezon City on Wednesday.

READ: Naga City, ex-VP Robredo seek trucks, pump boats for ongoing rescue ops

“As soon as makapasok kami, we will be doing that. And we are now beginning to marshal our assets, like, for example, rubber boats. Hanggang Mindanao kukunin na muna namin at dadalhin namin dito sa area ng pangangailangan. (We will gather them from as far as Mindanao and bring them here to the area of need),” Marcos replied when asked how soon the rubber boats would be delivered in Naga City.

Robredo and the Naga LGU requested separately on Facebook posts on Tuesday.

“We are urgently in need of trucks and assets from government and private sectors that can navigate floodwaters between 3 to 6 feet deep,” the LGU said.

Robredo, meanwhile, said many of the rescue trucks have become inoperable due to the flooding thus, the request for boats.

READ: Leni Robredo faces 4 opponents for mayoral post in Naga City

In the briefing, Marcos assured the public that government assets are in place to assist those affected by Kristine.

“We are doing everything we can to get assistance prepositioned. That’s always the key. Get the people evacuated properly, get our goods and equipment prepositioned as close as possible without them having the risk of damage,” he said.