President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to ensure relief operations reach every community affected by Tropical Storm Luis, Typhoon Maymay, and the southwest monsoon (habagat), following official confirmation of 12 weather-related fatalities.
During a situation briefing at Malacañang on Monday, August 10, President Marcos assessed storm damage alongside Cabinet members to streamline response efforts.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that the President prioritized assistance for remote populations and mandated ongoing support for displaced residents returning home from evacuation centers.
According to data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), alongside local government units, has distributed ₱39.37 million in relief packages.
Distribution covers Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Operational assets deployed for emergency efforts include:
- Field Personnel: 3,841 active search-and-rescue workers, with 4,392 additional personnel and 943 equipment units on standby.
- Logistics & Transport: 14 air assets and one sea vessel deployed across the Armed Forces, National Police, and Coast Guard, backed by reserve assets from Civil Defense, the Navy, and the Fire Bureau.
- Relief Goods Dispatched: 54,370 family food packs, 2,722 ready-to-eat items, and 1,376 non-food relief items, alongside nearly ₱1 million disbursed via the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
- Standby Resources: Nearly five million family food packs, 245,474 non-food items, and ₱1.61 billion in emergency funding prepositioned nationwide.
President Marcos additionally directed state agencies to reinforce flood-control mechanisms.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected infrastructure projects in Las Piñas as crews executed dredging, pipe installations, and pumping station operations.
Castro emphasized the President’s call for community cooperation and proper waste management to mitigate regional flooding risks.