MANILA, Philippines – TINIYAK ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., na ginagawa na ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng makakaya nito para tulungan ang mga biktima ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine sa pamamagitan ng ‘aid at rescue operations.’
Sa katunayan, naka-deploy na ang mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng gobyerno para suportahan ang mga lalawigan na apektado ng bagyo.
“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,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos.
“I make this pledge to our people: Help is on the way. It will come by land, air, and, even by sea,” dagdag na wika nito.
Sa kabilang dako, inatasan na ng Chief Executive ang ganap na pagkilos ng mga tauhan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at resources nito para tumulong sa relief operations.
“Other uniformed agencies, such as the PNP, BFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), were also placed on high alert,” ang sinabi ng Pangulo.
Inatasan din ng Punong Ehekutibo ang uniformed personnel na mag- deploy ng mga sasakyan, aircraft, bangka, barko at lahat ng iba pang transportation assets para sa ‘rescue, relief at rehabilitation.’
Ayon sa Pangulo, maaaring gamitin ang presidential helicopters para tulungan ang mga 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,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos.
“I want to see a conveyor belt of aid that is constantly delivering aid to the front,” dagdag na pahayag nito.
Binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos na “all personnel leaves, except for medical reasons and those with humanitarian justifications, in the uniformed services, are deemed canceled.”
Ang AFP at PNP medical corps ay kasama naman sa relief effort bilang 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,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos.
“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,” ang litaniya ng Pangulo.
Para naman sa Department of Agriculture (DA), winika ng Pangulo na inatasan na niya ito para ipatupad ang ‘ quick planting at production turnaround plan’ para tulungan ang mga magsasaka na payabongin ang mga pagkain na kailangan ng bansa.
Aniya pa, ang tulong ng DA para sa apektadong indibiduwal “is premised on the grant of immediate assistance, including payment of crop insurance to farmers affected by the typhoon.”
Sinabi pa rin ni Pangulong Marcos na inatasan na niya ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na magsagawa ng kinakailangang emergency road clearing operations, habang hinikayat naman ang mga private contractor na tumulong sa pagpapanumbalik ng trapiko sa nawasak na mga lansangan at tulay.
“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,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos.
“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,” aniya pa rin.
Samantala, nananatili namang aktibong nakikibahagi si Pangulong Marcos sa situwasyon simula nang manalasa ang Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Kris Jose
