AS ‘NIKA’ APPROACHES President Marcos on Sunday leads the distribution of various aid packages to families in Buguey town in Cagayan, among the provinces worst hit by Typhoon Marce (international name: Yinxing). — File photo from the PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
MANILA, Philippines — As the Christmas season nears, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the public to extend their compassion and support to people affected by the recent typhoons that slammed the country.
In an ambush interview on Monday, after the 49th Philippine National Prayer Breakfast held in Malacañang, Marcos said that relief efforts continue for families in areas devastated by the six consecutive typhoons that battered the archipelago in just a little over one month or since October 21.
READ: Wind signals still up in some parts of Luzon as Pepito leaves PAR
“So, sana naman pagkadating ng Pasko, tayong mga Pilipino, alalahanin naman natin ang mga ating mga kababayan na kahit papaano [ay] nasalanta,” he said.
(So, I hope that by Christmas, we Filipinos will remember our fellow countrymen who have been affected, even in the smallest way.)
“At kahit papaano, sana ‘yung ating pamasko, ipamahagi na lang natin sa kanila. Kawawa naman at sila’y naghihirap,” he continued.
(And I hope that in any way, we can just send our Christmas gifts to them. They are in a pitiful situation and they are suffering.)
Marcos also said one person from Camarines Sur reportedly died due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).
As of 5 a.m., the state weather bureau said wind signals are still up in many areas of Luzon as Pepito moves away from the country.
Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s update, Pepito is traversing northwestward over the West Philippine Sea at 30 kilometers per hour (kph).
It was last spotted some 145 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gusts of up to 160 kph.