Marcos Jr. orders swift assistance to flooded, isolated areas

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos ordered on Wednesday the swift release of assistance, especially to areas isolated due to flooding brought by incessant rains dumped by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Marcos presided over a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday morning after attending an event in Pasay City.

The President ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to work closely with the Office of Civil Defense for the quick delivery of aid to affected residents.

“I think the response is OK. We just have to keep it up. The DSWD continues the support… you (DSWD) work with the OCD so that you can focus your attention on those areas that we will have to service that are presently isolated,” Marcos said. “We need to know where they are.”

“That’s important because some of those people haven’t eaten for a few days. So as soon as possible our assistance should be ready because we know that they are the priority – that situation is critical,” he said.

Marcos also ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to advise and evacuate those who are likely to be affected by the possible release of water from dams, especially in Luzon, to avoid accidents and loss of lives.

“I have directed immediate coordination with LGUs (local government units) and NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) to evacuate communities affected by Typhoon Carina, while the DSWD continues to provide food, shelter and assistance to those in need.”

“We will also ensure proper coordination before releasing water from dams to protect people from downstream impacts,” Marcos said in a Facebook post. “With our SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place, we are fully prepared to support and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone.”

For its part, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated its regional shelter clusters to extend immediate assistance to those who may be displaced or affected by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.

In a memorandum issued on Monday, the DHSUD directed its Regional Offices 1, 2, 3, 4B, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, Cordillera Administrative Region and NCR to activate their shelter clusters “immediately.”

In a post on X earlier in the day, Marcos said a total of P2.88 billion worth of aid has been prepositioned and close to 4,500 personnel were on standby for search, rescue and retrieval operations.

The government has extended P43.15 million worth of assistance to over 770,000 individuals affected by the southwest monsoon in the Visayas and Mindanao, the President said.

Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels in Metro Manila on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the combined effects of Carina and the monsoon.

All hospitals and health facilities nationwide were placed under Code White Alert amid inclement weather and flooding in various parts of the country.

“The health units shall conduct proactive monitoring and reporting of any untoward health incidents via the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) integrated information system linked to the HEMB Operations Center,” the Department of Health announced yesterday.

The DOH also advised the public to take the necessary precautions against leptospirosis as many areas were submerged underwater.

Leptospirosis can be acquired by wading through floodwaters or handling soil/ mud/dirt after a flood, with or without visible wounds, through exposed skin