Marcos orders OCD to ensure aid for victims of Kristine, Leon

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) to ensure the continuous supply of food, water, medical, and other needs for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon.

OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno disclosed the directive, according to a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) press release on Thursday.

READ: Leon weakens into typhoon

“Unang-una, malinaw iyong bilin ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos at ni Secretary Teodoro, hindi nga bilin iyon eh, utos na malinaw na siguraduhing tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang inuming tubig at yung kanilang pagkain,” Nepomuceno said, as quoted in the statement.

(First and foremost, the directive from President Marcos and Secretary Teodoro is clear; it’s not just a request but a clear order to ensure the continuous supply of drinking water and food for them.)

“At ‘pag kinakailangan, ‘yung mga medical supplies, kailangan tuloy-tuloy iyan para maiwasan yung sakit,” he added.

(And when necessary, medical supplies must also be continuous to prevent illnesses.)

As of 11 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Typhoon Leon weakened into a typhoon

The center of Leon’s eye was observed 155 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, and it had 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.