FLOODED MANILA. Motorists are stranded due to the gutter-deep flood along the corner of Taft and UN Avenues in Manila after a heavy downpour on Tuesday (July 23, 2024) afternoon. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a statement on Wednesday (July 24, 2024), said he has instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the swift delivery of assistance to those affected by the heavy rains and floods brought by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday more than PHP43 million in assistance has been provided by the government while PHP2.88 billion more is on standby for those affected by the heavy rains and flooding across the country brought by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Marcos said PHP43.15 million in assistance has been distributed to more than 770,000 individuals in the Visayas and Mindanao over the past week.
Meanwhile, PHP2.88 billion worth of prepositioned aid and nearly 4,500 personnel are on standby for search, rescue, and retrieval operations, the President said.
“I have instructed all concerned agencies to provide swift assistance to all those affected by Typhoon #CarinaPH and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon,” he said.
Marcos is also set to hold a situation briefing this morning and ensure that support is provided promptly and effectively.
Carina and “habagat” will continue to drench and bring strong winds to most parts of the country on Wednesday.
According to the weather bureau's latest bulletin, stormy weather and gale-force winds are forecast over Batanes, currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.
TCWS No. 1 has been hoisted over the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, and Gonzaga), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, and Adams).
Strong winds will prevail in these areas, the weather bureau said.
PNP response
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson and information chief, Col. Jean Fajardo, said PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the deployment of “all available forces and resources” to provide assistance in areas and regions experiencing heavy downpours and flooding.
"May mga personnel na po tayo naka-deploy sa mga affected areas as part of our humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts. May mga pulis na nakalagay sa mga evacuation centers sa NCR (We have personnel deployed to affected areas as part of our humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts. We also have police officers in evacuation areas in the National Capital Region),” Fajardo said in a message sent to reporters.
“Ang mga mobility assets po ng PNP were dispatched also para magamit sa pagbigay assistance (Our mobility assets have also been dispatched to provide assistance)."
DSWD volunteers
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now in urgent need of volunteers to help in the repacking of family food packs (FFPs) for the affected families.
“We request interested individuals or groups to join us as we repack relief goods for our kababayans (countrymen) affected by the typhoon and the habagat. This will ensure that we have enough food packs to sustain the needs of our kababayans,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao said in a news release.
The DSWD spokesperson said interested parties may contact Shara Lee of the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) at mobile number 09260612646 and email address, msllee@dswd.gov.ph for scheduling.
The DSWD repacking center is located at the NROC warehouse located along Chapel Road, Barangay 195 in Pasay City.
Dumlao reminded those who want to volunteer to wear comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes and bring water bottle containers and their own food.
“We thank in advance those who want to join us in the production of family food packs. We know that the spirit of volunteerism is alive in times like this,” Dumlao said. (With reports from Lloyd Caliwan/Zaldy De Layola/PNA)
