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‘Ulysses’ floods parts of Malacañan Palace

By Azer Parrocha

November 12, 2020, 3:58 pm

<p><strong>NOT SPARED</strong>. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go shows the flooded area near the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañan Palace after the Pasig River overflowed due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses on Thursday (Nov. 12, 2020). The Malago Clubhouse is the official residence of President Rodrigo Duterte. <em>(Photo courtesy of Senator Bong Go)</em></p>

NOT SPARED. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go shows the flooded area near the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañan Palace after the Pasig River overflowed due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses on Thursday (Nov. 12, 2020). The Malago Clubhouse is the official residence of President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo courtesy of Senator Bong Go)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s official residence in Malacañan Palace was not spared from flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said an area near the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Compound n Malacañan was submerged in water after the typhoon caused rains that caused the Pasig River to overflow.

“Yung likod po ng kanyang bahay ay umapaw na rin po ang Pasig River kung saan siya nagmimi-meeting kanina, sobrang lakas po. Hopefully, palabas na ang bagyo at tumigil na ang ulan (The back of his house where he was attending a meeting, became flooded because the Pasig River overflowed. Hopefully, the typhoon is on its way out and the rain would stop),” Go said.

He shared to reporters photos of the PSG Compound after it experienced mild flooding.

Despite the flooding, Go assured that the President continues to monitor the calamity situation and even temporarily left the ongoing 37th Asean Summit to check on the situation on the ground.

“Nag-a-attend si Pangulo sa Asean Summit. Umalis siya, pagkatapos nga magbigay ng intervention dun sa Asean ay umalis siya to address the nation at nakamonitor ang Pangulo sa lahat ng pangyayari (The President was attending the Asean Summit. He left after giving an intervention to address the nation and monitor developments),” he said.

In his public address aired over state-run PTV-4, Duterte assured that “your government is on top of the situation.”

The President said the national government would provide relief, rescue, and assistance to families severely affected by “Ulysses”.

“From the beginning, various government agencies have already been mobilized to respond to the situation on the ground. I renew my call on all local government units and concerned agencies to ensure that the well-being and the safety of our people remain the top priority,” he said.

Duterte also assured the nation that nobody would be left behind as the government is ready to address the people’s needs.

“As President, I guarantee you that your government will do its best to provide assistance in the form of shelters, relief goods, financial aid, and post-disaster counseling. Rest assured the government will not leave anybody behind. We will get through this crisis, I assure you,” he added.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said “Ulysses” was at 140 km. west of Iba, Zambales and was moving westward at 35 kph.

It forecast “Ulysses” to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday morning. (PNA)



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