President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate but safe restoration of power in typhoon-hit areas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Thursday.

The order will be measured, meaning the efforts to restore power in typhoon-hit areas will be carried out only when it is safe to avoid accidents, said OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno in a special report #LeonPH over PTV4.

President Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro issued the order to ensure that typhoon survivors have drinking water, food and proper shelters.

“The power was brought [up] by President Bongbong, but the power return is not that simple…The communication should be addressed immediately. The power should be returned carefully,” Nepomuceno explained.

“Iyong kuryente, ibinilin iyan ni Pangulong Bongbong, subalit hindi ganoon kasimple iyong pagbabalik ng kuryente dahil iyan, tinitingnan bawat metro n’yan. Hindi puwedeng madaliin iyan, kapag kasi iyan ay biglaang binuhay, baka makadisgrasya pa, pumutok o magkaroon ng aksidente. So, iyong komunikasyon, dapat kaagad matugunan iyan. Iyong kuryente, maingat na ibabalik din dapat iyan,” he said.

Nepomuceno urged typhoon-hit communities, especially those in Batanes, not to worry, as the government is ready to immediately send assistance once the weather permits.

“We are here to help you. It is a commitment from the government. Your government is here,” he said.

In ensuring connectivity for typhoon victims, the OCD is supported by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy, Nepomuceno said.

Nepomuceno underscored the importance of connectivity in times of calamity.

“Unang una, iyong komunikasyon, hindi lang ng pamahalaan pati ‘yung mamamayan natin. Kaya iyong sa tulong rin ng DICT, sina Secretary Ivan Uy, kaagad-agad nagpapadala sila ng kapabilidad, ‘yung equipment, magkaroon ng internet connection,” Nepomuceno said. | PND