President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | PHOTO: Screengrabbed from Bongbong Marcos’ Facebook live
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured Filipinos that the government “remains in full control” despite the destruction caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon.
In a statement, he said resources and personnel may be pushed to the limit, but the government has sufficient assets to “mitigate the worst impact, recover from the wreckage, and rebuild stronger than before.”
“I assure the Filipino people that the government is ably handling all disaster management efforts. We remain in full control,” he added.
READ: PH gov’t on high alert for Typhoon Leon’s effects – Palace
Marcos also said relief and recovery efforts continue in areas affected by Kristine, while preparations are ramping up for Leon.
“All agencies and instrumentalities of government remain on full alert, and remain ready to deploy aid wherever it may be needed,” he added.
Kristine ravaged the Bicol region and other areas, while Leon left 150 people dead, according to the 8 a.m. report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
At least 29 people were reported missing and 115 were reported injured, the council added.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Leon’s eye was last seen 155 km north of Itbayat, Batanes. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving northwestward at 25 kph.
READ: Leon weakens into typhoon
The state weather bureau also downgraded the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal of Batanes from 5 to 4 as Leon moved away from the province.
READ: Batanes downgraded to Signal No. 4 as Leon heads toward Taiwan