PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. informed Filipinos on Friday that “help is on its way” considering the devastation caused by catastrophic tropical storm “Kristine” in multiple regions of the country.
“I make this pledge to our people: Help is on the way. It will come by land, air, and, even by sea… [On Thursday] we started sending aid and commenced rescue operations in the areas affected by STS Kristine. Today, we will continue sending our help and aid,” Marcos said.
Marcos stated that he has directed the mobilization of government assets to provide assistance and rescue efforts to typhoon victims, and that “all personnel leaves, except for medical reasons and those with humanitarian justifications, in the uniformed services, are deemed canceled.”
“I have ordered the full mobilization of available AFP personnel and resources which can be committed to relief operations. Other uniformed agencies such as the PNP, BFP, and the Philippine Coast Guard are likewise placed under that status,” he informed.
“I have ordered them to deploy vehicles, aircraft, boats, ships, and all other transportation assets for, first rescue, and then relief and rehabilitation. This includes presidential helicopters,” Marcos added.
Kristine’s onslaught has affected over 3.3 million Filipinos across the country, with thousands still suffering from the storm’s aftermath, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday.
At it was 4:00 a.m. On Friday, the center of severe tropical storm Kristine was assessed to be 125 kilometers west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, using all available data.
Despite Kristine’s leaving from the Philippine area of responsibility later today, Signal No. 2 remains in place in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon.