Accessibility remains the top challenge for the government in reaching areas severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, particularly in the Bicol region.

To address this, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to ensure the timely delivery of assistance.

“So, it’s still the lack of accessibility that we’re having to deal with,” President Marcos said during the situation briefing in Malacañang.

Some highways and thoroughfares leading into the region remain submerged or damaged by the storm, complicating relief delivery.

The President said government efforts should currently focus on Bicol as it was the hardest hit by the storm compared to other areas across the country.

“I think we continue to concentrate on region 5 for now because they are the ones in most need. Everyone is in need but the accessibility problem of region 5 is a little bit more pronounced than all the other areas,” he said.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, local government units (LGUs) are taking measures to ensure the delivery of assistance while waiting for the flood to recede.

Local officials have mobilized boat brigades to distribute family food boxes to affected communities.

The Philippine Air Force is also assisting by airlifting potable drinking water from Manila Water and Maynilad, Gatchalian said.

This developed as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro reported that he has already instructed the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to find an alternative route for vehicles carrying goods, fuel, and water from the Bondoc Peninsula to Camarines Sur. |PND