Marcos orders fast-track relief operations in flooded Visayan areas

President Marcos has ordered government agencies to fast track the relief operations in Northern and Eastern Samar amid the massive flooding in the region.

Marcos, who was in Tacloban City on Thursday, Nov. 23, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should ensure that all roads are passable to allow faster distribution of food packs and relief goods to flood victims.

“The public works – as soon as the public works is able to enter, do the necessary repairs so that bigger vehicles can enter – as soon as it’s passable all efforts can go in and do the repairs necessary,” Marcos said in a situation briefing.

“We are doing everything that we can. But let’s work with those who are in the evacuation centers – pati na yung mg nasa bahay pa (Including those who are still in their houses… we have to go and make sure that they get the food packs, they get sufficient water supply,” he added.

According to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, they have already prepared over 100,000 food packs for distribution to the affected families in Eastern and Northern Samar.

The department is also finalizing the list of the affected families and individuals whose houses were either totally or partially damaged.

This will be the basis of the financial assistance they will receive from the government to start rebuilding their houses, Gatchalian said.

The President also said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide the necessary assistance to the affected families and will distribute seedlings and other agricultural products to farmers.

Marcos was supposed to land in Catarman but the inclement weather prevented him from going to the area, prompting him to conduct a situational briefing with Samar officials via Zoom in Tacloban City instead.

READ MORE: Marcos flies to Tacloban, GenSan amid massive flooding, strong quake aftermath