Aquino happy with gov’t response to ‘Mario’–Secretary Roxas

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III was satisfied with the government’s response to Tropical Storm “Mario” in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said on Saturday.

Mario, the 13th weather disturbance to hit the country this year, paralyzed the metropolis on Friday as it spawned heavy rains that inundated communities and displaced residents living near bodies of water and in flood-prone areas.

A man dives in the background as rescuers use a rubber dinghy to rescue trapped residents after continues heavy monsoon rains spawned by tropical storm Fung-Wong flooded Marikina city, east of Manila, Philippines and most parts of the metropolis Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. AP

Roxas said the President, who flew to the United States after completing his whirlwind four-nation visit to Europe on Friday, was being briefed regularly about the situation.

“The President is monitoring the conditions in the affected areas. He knows what’s happening. He wants to assure the people that the entire government is doing everything [it can],” Roxas told reporters.

Accompanied by Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and other government officials, Roxas visited four evacuation centers in Marikina, Pasig and Quezon City.

“While the President is defending the country’s interests abroad, his thoughts are with you. He is thinking about you,” Roxas told the evacuees at the Bagong Silangan Elemenary School in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, where about 900 families were relocated from their flooded communities.

“You don’t have to worry. We have enough supplies of food packs for you. Even the policemen and firemen are here to offer their services,” he said.

Roxas, vice chair of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the storm dumped rain equivalent to about 60 percent of that brought by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” in 2009.

Erlinda Viernes, 47, of Barangay Malanday, Marikina, said she was thankful that Roxas and the local government provided food packs for them.

However, the mother of four said it would be better if the national government could help families living near the Marikina River to relocate to safer places.

“Since Ondoy happened, we have been living in fear every time the Marikina River reaches its critical level because of the floods triggered by the typhoons. I just wish the government could help us transfer to a flood-free area here in Marikina,” Viernes said.

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