Aquino meets with disaster officials anew

PHOTO FROM PCDSPO TWITTER ACCOUNT

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III ordered government agencies to coordinate information and prioritize the areas needing rescue and relief so that the “meager resources” required for the operations could be spread out accordingly.

Aquino gave the directive in a meeting Wednesday with disaster officials in the wake of the flooding in Metro Manila and several provinces from nonstop rains spawned by a southwest monsoon.

This is Aquino’s second visit to the NDRRMC in Camp Aguinaldo, with his first on Tuesday.

Aquino met with officials from the Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Energy, and the Metropolitan Manila and Development Authority.

The President also directed the:
•    Department of Energy to ensure power supply;

•    MMDA to ensure the smooth flow of traffic;

•    DSWD to provide the relief goods for the flood victims. Aquino was assured by the DSWD that the items were being repacked with the help of student volunteers;

•    PNP to ensure that residents in flooded areas are promptly evacuated.

Aquino added that the Bureau of Customs would be turning over 23 rubber boats for rescue operations.