Marcos orders full government mobilization for flood response amid US visit

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the government is fully mobilized and responding swiftly to the widespread flooding caused by intense southwest monsoon rains, intensified by Severe Tropical Storm Crising.

Speaking from Washington, D.C. during his official visit to the United States, the president emphasized that disaster response efforts had already been set in motion before his departure.

“Bago po kami umalis ng Maynila upang pumunta sa Amerika para bumisita, nag-official visit po tayo sa pangulo ng Amerika, si President Trump, ay nabigyan ko na ng instruction ang lahat ng ating mga ahensiya na paghandaan ang naging baha dahil sa napakalakas na ulan,” he said.

[Translation: Before we left Manila to visit the president of the United States, President Trump, I had already given instructions to all our agencies to prepare for the flooding brought by the intense rains.]

Marcos instructed key government agencies—namely the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)—to coordinate closely in implementing emergency measures.

He reported that relief goods are being delivered to affected communities, accompanied by medical teams. Efforts are also being made to secure basic utilities such as electricity, clean water, and transportation services in flood-stricken areas.

“Ang mga relief goods ay nakahanda na, idini-deliver na doon sa mga area na nangangailangan. Iyong mga medical team kasabay na rin nung ating mga relief goods. At tinitiyak natin na mayroong transportasyon at siyempre ay tinitiyak natin na may sapat na suplay ng tubig, sapat na suplay ng kuryente, at lahat ito ay para sa pangangailangan ng mga naging biktima nitong pagbaha at malakas na ulan.

[Translation: Relief goods are ready and are already being delivered to the areas in need. Medical teams are deployed alongside the relief operations. We are also ensuring the availability of transportation, and of course, adequate supplies of water and electricity—everything necessary for those affected by the flooding and heavy rains.]

The president urged the public to follow government advisories and cooperate with local and national authorities.