MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed sympathy for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
He also commended the “resilience, leadership, and proactive measures” taken by leaders of local government units for their storm-affected constituents.
“Being first responders, our local government units are those, are the ones, the entities that we count on for that very first response. And they have as usual, come through, and have done everything that is possible, that is humanly possible to do to provide relief, to provide rescue, and to provide assistance to all those who are in peril,” Marcos said.
READ: Marcos issues slew of orders to sustain, boost storm Kristine response
According to the president, the national government is working tirelessly to provide assistance needed by each local government unit.
He also disclosed that a C130 plane left Manila at 6:49 a.m. on Friday, carrying tools for satellite communication, generator sets, generator sets for satellite communication, and water filtration units; and government personnel to help calamity victims.
READ: Kristine triggers floods, landslides, blackouts
Marcos likewise issued several directives to sustain and boost the government response to the widespread devastation caused by Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), which lashed parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Among his orders was for the Department of Budget and Management to release all necessary funds needed to assist the victims of Kristine.