Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) — Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the situation in areas affected by Typhoon Egay and gives orders to agencies for disaster response.
“Mula nang umalis ang pangulo kagabi hanggang kaninang umaga patuloy siyang nagbibigay ng (direktiba). Sa kanya very, very important ang disaster response,” said Gatchalian in a press briefing on the sidelines of post-State of the Nation Address discussions on Wednesday.
[Translation: Since the President left last night until this morning, he gave us directives on disaster response]
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Marcos is in Malaysia for a state visit to meet with Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and the business community in Malaysia. Gatchalian said the president wants to prioritize the urgent needs of typhoon victims. The DSWD is closely monitoring Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). He said around 80,000 to 100,000 food packs were prepared for the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and CAR.
“Ang gusto ng ating pangulo una, lahat ng lumikas may sapat na pagkain may sapat na probisyon tulad ng hygiene packs, beddings. Pangalawa, yung mga wala evacuation centers dapat masakop din ng tulong iyan naman ang mandato ng ating pangulo,” Gatchalian said in a press briefing on Wednesday, July 26.
[Translation: The president wants all those who evacuated to have enough food supply and other non-food provisions such as hygiene kits and beddings. Second, the president wants to extend assistance even to those who did not stay in evacuation centers]
He said food packs were pre-positioned ahead of Typhoon Egay’s impact.
“Hindi yung may bagyo lang doon kami magpapadala ng goods, kundi bago pa dumating ang bagyo ang pinaghahandaan natin hindi lamang bagyo other disasters like earthquake and yung katulad ng Mayon,” he said.
[Translation: Food packs should be ready not only when a typhoon is happening but even before it happens. We also prepare for other natural disasters like earthquakes and volcano eruption like with what happened by Mayon Volcano]
