By Prince Golez
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the national government to work closely with local governments in areas impacted by super typhoon Egay.
In an interview, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Marcos Jr. instructed them to continuously coordinate with mayors as he underscored the importance of coordination between the local and the national government.
The President wanted to ensure that the national government is ready to augment its resources should the local governments run out of their supplies, according to Gatchalian.
“Hindi tayo tumitigil na makipag-coordinate sa local government officials ng Ilocos Norte kasi alam natin na apektado rin sila pati na rin sa Cordillera region,” he said.
“Yung coordination between the national government and local government napakaimportante niyan. Alam natin na ang local government ang first to respond.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development chief said Marcos Jr. also ordered them to ensure that there is enough supply of food to the affected residents and provide all their needs.
The national government is now focused on ensuring the safety of the residents in Cagayan Valley and in some other areas in Northern Luzon where super Egay is expected to hit, he added.
It is also giving attention to the residents in Occidental Mindoro due to heavy flooding in the area.
“Sa utos ng ating Pangulo: una, masigurado na ang lahat ng lumikas may sapat na pagkain at may sapat na probisyon na non-food, ‘yung mga hygiene packs, ‘yung mga beddings; pangalawa, ‘yung mga wala sa evacuation center dapat masakop din ng ating tulong,” said Gatchalian.
“Those areas ang ating areas of concentration. We’ve also coordinated closely with the respective governors and city mayors and municipal mayors ng mga nasabing lugar as early as yesterday,” he furthered.
