President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday led the aerial inspection of the areas affected by Typhoon Karding.
Prior to his inspection, the chief executive conducted a situation briefing with disaster officials, where he said emergency relief assistance will be immediately provided to families affected by Typhoon Karding, particularly in Polillo Island.
“What we are organizing is the airlift for food materials, food packs, water into Polill Right now, those are the first area– unang tinamaan,” Marcos said in a media interview after presiding over a situation briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
“Then, after we intend to get the basics there — again food, water, shelter, and even clothes, all of these things — the DSWD is also prepared to provide AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) to them for those who will need assistance.”
A wide range of support is prepared and ready to go, he said, noting, however, that having cash is not very useful for the typhoon survivors which is why the government will focus on their immediate needs.
During the situation briefing, the Department of National Defense Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr. said 1,208 families or 4,606 individuals were affected by the typhoon in 57 barangays.
Faustino assured the public that the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has standby funds and stockpile of family food packs and non-food items.
The government health cluster, led by the Department of Health (DOH) also prepositioned a total of P83 million worth of assorted drugs and medicines, medical supplies, and other commodities in affected regions.
Also, a total of 1,356 medical responders are available, according to Faustino, who is also the chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The typhoon resulted in domestic and international flight cancellations. A total of 2,882 stranded passengers were also reported.
Classes and government work were suspended Monday in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa. | PND
