The government is doing its best to assist the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine through aid and rescue operations.
This assurance was made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, noting that concerned government agencies have been deployed to support the provinces affected by the storm.
“Yesterday we started sending aid and commenced rescue operations in the areas affected by STS Kristine. Today, we will continue sending our help and aid,” Marcos said in a statement.
“I make this pledge to our people: Help is on the way. It will come by land, air, and, even by sea,” he added.
The Chief Executive said he has ordered the full mobilization of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its resources to assist in the relief operations.
Other uniformed agencies, such as the PNP, BFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), were also placed on high alert, he added.
President Marcos further directed the uniformed personnel to deploy vehicles, aircraft, boats, ships, and all other transportation assets for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
He said presidential helicopters can also be used to aid the typhoon victims.
“This means putting people out of harm’s way, those whose lives are in danger, and then paving the way for the rapid movement of relief resources to affected areas,” he said.
“I want to see a conveyor belt of aid that is constantly delivering aid to the front,” he added.
The President emphasized that “all personnel leaves, except for medical reasons and those with humanitarian justifications, in the uniformed services, are deemed canceled.
He added that the AFP and PNP medical corps will join in the relief effort as frontline personnel.
“For a speedy and streamlined disaster response, I have directed Cabinet Secretaries to lead relief and rehabilitation work in specific areas. I have ordered the DBM Secretary to immediately release all necessary funds so that needed resources can be procured expeditiously,” President Marcos said.
“The DSWD shall rush to all affected areas to provide relief goods, both pre-positioned and new supplies to augment those provided by the local government units. As soon as weather permits, the DSWD will mobilize the grant of financial aid under existing government programs,” he added.
For the Department of Agriculture (DA), President Marcos said that it has been directed to implement a quick planting and production turnaround plan to help farmers grow food the country needs.
He added that the DA’s aid for affected individuals “is premised on the grant of immediate assistance, including payment of crop insurance to farmers affected by the typhoon.”
President Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been instructed to conduct necessary emergency road clearing operations, while private contractors are encouraged to aid in restoring traffic on damaged roads and bridges.
“To blunt any attempt at profiteering, the DTI is monitoring compliance with the price control on selected goods imposed in all areas under the State of Calamity, in accordance with the law. The DTI is also directed to ensure the unhampered flow of goods in all the affected areas,” President Marcos said.
“I have directed the DA to deploy Kadiwa rolling stores to affected areas, and so that many people will be reached, to expand its fleet by contracting private vehicle owners,” he added.
President Marcos has remained actively engaged with the situation since the onset of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. |PND
