(Photo courtesy of 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company Misamis Occidental)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to “closely monitor” parts of the country that continue to be affected by heavy rains and floods.
Marcos issued this directive following his visit to Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which were among the provinces affected by heavy rains and massive flooding since late last month.
“The President has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to closely monitor the situation in areas affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, and render assistance to the LGUs involved and their constituents,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a press statement.
Marcos visited both Tudela in Misamis Occidental province and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental to distribute aid and assess the extent of damage caused by rains and floods in Northern Mindanao.
Based on a press release from PCO, the plane carrying Marcos and other government officials made three landing attempts before touching down at the Ozamiz City airport due to bad weather.
“The President then proceeded to conduct a briefing with Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal at the airport instead of Oroquieta City as originally planned due to inclement weather,” Garafil said.
Garafil said the bad weather also prevented Marcos from doing an ocular inspection over Oroquieta City to see and assess the affected areas.
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the warning level in Zamboanga City and the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte to red as “serious flooding is expected in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.”
PAGASA also raised the warning in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces to orange as “flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.”
Meanwhile, moderate with occasionally heavy rains are being experienced over Isabela City, Basilan, Sulu, rest of Misamis Oriental and may affect nearby areas.
Light to moderate rains are being experienced over Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and may affect nearby areas.
New appointments
Meanwhile, Garafil announced new appointments made by the President in several departments. They are:
–Robert Rayo Bioco as Acting Administrator and Member, National Food Authority, Department of Agriculture
–Michael Galicia Aguinaldo as Chairperson, Philippine Competition Commission, OP
Aguinaldo’s term will expire Jan. 7, 2030.
–Faith Barana De Guia as Director III, Presidential Communications Office, Office of the President (OP)
–Gloria Jacinto Balboa as Assistant Secretary, Department of Health (DOH)
–Johanna Solon Banzon as Director IV, DOH
–Rodley Desmond Daniel Muñoz Carza as Director III, DOH
–Geneses Rivero Abot as Deputy Director General, Anti-Red Tape Authority, OP
–Jocelyn De Guzman Cabreza and Alan Rio Luga as Acting Members, Representing the Banking, Finance, Investment, and Insurance Sectors, Board of Trustees, Government Service Insurance System
–Edgardo Dizon Pamintuan as Acting Chairperson and Member, Board of Directors, Clark Development Corporation
–Robert Joseph Montes De Claro as Acting Member, Representing the Employers’ Group, Social Security Commission. (PNA)
