Marcos orders swift relief efforts for typhoon victims

Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., government agencies have mobilized quickly to provide relief and support to communities devastated by Typhoon *Tino*.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration’s coordinated response ensured that aid reached affected residents without delay.

“Mabilisang rumesponde ang lahat ng ahensya sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga residenteng tinamaan ng Bagyong Tino,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing last week.

The Department of Health (DOH) has been distributing medicines, drinking water, hygiene kits, and water containers to the hardest-hit provinces of Cebu, Aklan, and Eastern Visayas. The agency is also monitoring possible lahar flows from Mount Kanlaon amid continued rains.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, has delivered 121,988 family food packs and 1,628 ready-to-eat meals to victims in CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island, Central and Eastern Visayas, and Caraga. Assistance has also been extended to affected families in Metro Manila and Zamboanga, including financial aid for those who lost loved ones.

DSWD teams have likewise served hot meals to stranded passengers, drivers, and port workers in storm-affected areas.

Castro emphasized that Cabinet members are closely monitoring relief operations to ensure the efficient delivery of aid.

“Sa oras ng sakuna, palaging prayoridad ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang kapakanan ng taumbayan saan man sa bansa,” she stressed.

At the same time, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda said his agency is working with major telcos — Dito, Globe, and Smart — to hasten the restoration of communication services in affected regions.

“Lahat sila nagsusumikap na maging 100 percent as fast as possible,” Aguda said, adding that connectivity improvements are expected to continue within the day.

The Marcos administration assured the public that all agencies remain on high alert to assist families and communities as recovery efforts intensify.