Aquino confident of right gov’t response to typhoon

President Benigno Aquino III. Inquirer file photo

TOKYO—Showing he was on top of the situation even though away on a state visit in Japan, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said his government was working to ensure public safety from the battering of Typhoon “Pedring.”

The President mentioned the typhoon in his round table discussion with the Philippine-Japan Economic Coordinating Committee and the Japan-Philippine Economic Coordinating Committee  at the Tokyo Kaikan Hotel here.

“I apologize for the time constraint. There’s a typhoon in the Philippines now and we are monitoring the situation to ensure that our people are safe,” he said. He invited those unable to ask their questions to write them down and promised them a prompt reply.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told reporters that during breaks in his business meetings, Mr. Aquino had been shown satellite images of the typhoon’s path.

“It’s also one of the reasons why the President wanted to devote more time talking with authorities in Manila during his break in the schedule instead of prolonging the interaction here because he feels that this is a very urgent concern,” Coloma said.

In a statement, the President said he had instructed Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. “to keep me and the public informed of conditions pertaining as well as mitigation efforts.”

As of 3 p.m. here, he said 37 percent of areas being serviced by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was “without power due to tripping caused by high winds.”

“Now that the winds have abated, Meralco is working on restoring power to affected areas. In Aurora and Isabela, we are awaiting the passage of the storm to restore service. In Marikina, the water level is not yet in the critical level but there are ongoing voluntary evacuations,” he said.

In Manila, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang was providing Mr. Aquino regular updates on the typhoon. With a report from Norman Bordadora in Manila