Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, November 23) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led a situation briefing in Tacloban on the impact of weather systems on flood-stricken Northern Samar after his visit to the province was cancelled due to bad weather.
The chief executive arrived in Tacloban on Thursday morning. He was supposed to fly to Catarman, but due to inclement weather, he stayed at the airport and had a Zoom meeting with Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan.
Marcos also gave a short update through a Facebook post.
“Situation briefing via Zoom in Tacloban on the combined effects of shear line and LPA (low pressure are) in Northern Samar,” the post read.
Present during the briefing were heads of key agencies, such as the departments of Social Welfare and Development, National Defense, and the Interior and Local Government.
Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Mark Gimenez said the president instructed government agencies to assist local government units affected by the flooding by giving them all necessary aid that people need, including medicine.
Marcos also directed local officials to fast-track the repair of bridges and roads.
Ongchuan also asked for the continuous augmentation of relief packs that local government units will distribute to affected families, including cash assistance.
Work in government and private offices resumed Thursday in the province but classes are still suspended until Friday, Nov. 24.
The regional office of the DSWD said it has already provided 21,300 food packs to the province in response to various requests of LGUs.
The agency also recorded 15 totally damaged houses and 64 others partially damaged due to flooding and landslides.
Meanwhile, the agriculture department in the region in its report said the initial estimate of damage to crops and animal is at ₱47,304,950.
Rice lands incurred the most losses (₱45,949,925), followed by livestock (₱629,400), high value crops (₱202,000), root crops (₱223,125), and banana (₱220,500).
The flooding affected 1,877 farmers; at least 1,941 hectares of farm land; and 2,604 animals.
Tacloban City-based journalist Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this report.
