CLARK — President Benigno Aquino III is set to visit areas devastated by Typhoons “Nona” and “Onyok,” Malacañang said Monday at the sidelines of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 80th anniversary.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino personally saw the “flooded areas of Bulacan and Pampanga” as he flew in to Clark Air Base for the AFP anniversary.
“Hinahanda na ‘yung maaaring pagdalaw ng Pangulo in coordination with various agencies on the ground,” Coloma said.
(We’re preparing for the possible visit of the President in coordination with various agencies on the ground.)
He said they will make sure that the necessary assistance is delivered to the area before the President arrives. Coloma said they will announce the visit soon and that relief and rehabilitation efforts are ongoing in areas affected by “Nona” and “Onyok”.
Coloma pointed out that the proclamation of the national state of calamity has facilitated the immediate release of assistance, especially for families whose houses were damaged by the typhoon.
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He said the government provided for construction materials and cash-for-work to accelerate the rebuilding of the damaged homes.
“Lahat naman ng mga kinakailangang tulong sa mga apektado ng kalamidad ay naihahatid sa takdang panahon at wala naman tayong nakikitang problema o balakid sa mga efforts na ito,” he said.
(All the help needed by those affected by the calamity has been delivered at the right time and we don’t see any problems or hindrance to these efforts.)
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Coloma also acknowledged that the release of water from various dams in Luzon, including the Angat, Bustos and Ipo dams, has caused flooding in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.
“Siyempre, ang kautusan hinggil dito—na ipinapatupad naman ng ating mga local disaster risk reduction management council sa pangunguna ng mga gobernador at alkalde—ay tiyakin ‘yung kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan, lalong-lalo na doon sa mga low-lying areas, at sa pagtututok naman natin dito sa ating monitoring ay under control naman ‘yung flooding situation sa Bulacan at sa Pampanga,” he explained.
(Of course the directive—implemented by our local disaster risk reduction management councils led by governments and mayors—is to ensure the safety of people, especially those in low-lying areas. Our monitoring shows that the flooding situation in Bulacan and Pampanga is under control.) CDG
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