President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential Photo)
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to visit areas hit by “Auring” in Caraga Region on Tuesday to see first-hand the damage caused by the tropical storm, a Palace official said.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Duterte will visit Caraga accompanied by some Cabinet members to issue directives on what has to be done to respond to the needs of residents there.
“Weather permitting, the President intends to visit and bring with him some Cabinet members para mabilis din yung aksyon pag may nakita siya na mga gaps o kailangan pang gawin (so that action will be fast if he sees gaps or what needs to be done) over and above what is already being done by government,” he said in a virtual presser.
Nograles said a situation briefing may also take place after the President makes his visual assessment of the damage there.
“We already got a briefing last night but the briefing will continue mamaya-maya pagdating ni Pangulong (later when) Duterte (is) on the ground. Based on the briefing and the reports and his visual observation on the ground, ay magbibigay naman po ng mga direktiba si Pangulo (he will give his directives),” he said.
He also assured that local government units and concerned agencies have been responding to the situation in the region.
“Right now, ongoing naman po ang efforts ng ating government so si Pangulo will just add on kung mayroon siyang makitang kailangan pang gawin (government efforts are ongoing so the president will just issue additional orders in case he sees something that still needs to be done),” he added.
Nograles also hailed ongoing relief, rescue, and response operations being conducted in affected areas.
“We continue to monitor the situation on the ground at lahat ng ating mga agencies and departments that are in charge of providing relief, rescue, and response operations are doing it. We’d like to commend and salute all our government officials, employees, and workers who are currently in the thick of the rescue, relief, and response operations on the ground. We continue to monitor the situation and act quickly especially in helping 'yung mga kababayans natin na talagang naapektuhan (our citizens who were really affected),” he said.
Reports showed that Tandag River in Surigao del Sur swelled amid the onslaught of "Auring" which caused flooding in parts of the province. The floodwaters were at least knee-deep in the communities with higher elevation.
As of Monday, around 112,734 individuals have been affected by "Auring" with zero casualties. A total of 69,682 individuals have been evacuated.
Financial assistance has been extended to all those affected. (PNA)
