President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered all government agencies to fast-track the relief operations and other assistance to flood victims in Northern and Eastern Samar as he met the officials to personally oversee the government’s preparations.

He was initially set to land in Catarman but the inclement weather prevented him from going to the area, prompting him to conduct a situational briefing with Samar officials via Zoom in Tacloban City instead.

In a situation briefing, President Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should ensure that all roads are passable to allow faster distribution of food packs and relief goods to flood victims.

“The public works – as soon as the public works is able to enter, do the necessary repairs so that bigger vehicles can enter – as soon as it’s passable all efforts can go in and do the repairs necessary,” President Marcos said in a briefing situation in Tacloban City on Thursday morning.

“We are doing everything that we can. But let’s work with those who are in the evacuation centers – pati na ‘yung mg nasa bahay pa … we have to go and make sure that they get the food packs, they get sufficient water supply,” the President added.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said they have already prepared over 100,000 food packs for distribution to the affected families in Eastern and Northern Samar.

Gatchalian added they are also finalizing the list of the affected families and individuals whose houses were either totally or partially damaged. This will be the basis of the financial assistance they will receive from the government to start rebuilding their houses.

Before concluding the meeting, President Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide the necessary assistance to the affected families and will distribute seedlings and other agricultural products. PND