Marcos stresses importance of preemptive evacuations, assures aid for Paeng evacuees

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday stressed the importance of preemptive evacuations and assured aid for communities hit by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Marcos made the statement during a visit to Noveleta, Cavite, one of the areas that was flooded due to Paeng.

"Hindi masyadong malakas ang hangin [rito sa Cavite noong bagyo] pero maraming bumagsak na tubig at hindi nakayanan ng ating mga flood control at lumampas na yung tubig dun sa mga dike, dun sa mga flood control natin, kayat pumasok na sa mga bayan, ganun ang nangyari," Marcos said.

(Winds were not strong here but there was a lot of rain, it overwhelmed our dikes and flood control mechanisms... water then spilled to communities. That is what happened.)

"Kaya lagi kong ipinipilit at ipinapaala sa lahat ng NDRRMC natin na ang pinakaimportante, pagkaalam natin pagka may parating na bagyo, ay meron tayong evacuation na preemptive; na inuunahan natin yung bagyo na ilikas ang mga tao para kung sakali man dumaan dun sa lugar na 'yun ay hindi na sila mabiktima," he added.

(That is why I am always reminding our National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council that it is very important to put preemptive evacuation systems in place ahead of a typhoon's landfall, so we will be able to spare the people from the wrath of the typhoon.)

Marcos then said that the erosion of dikes and flood control mechanisms should be addressed with long-term solutions so massive flooding won't happen again.

Marcos also assured evacuees that the government would provide them with enough aid until it was safe to return home.

"Sinabi ko [kay Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo na] pumunta ka rito para matiyak natin na lahat ng nasa evacuation center ay nabibigyan ng tulugan, nabibigyan ng pagkain, ng tubig at naaalagaan ng mabuti ang ating mga evacuees. At sa lalong madaling panahon maibalik na sa kanilang tahanan," Marcos said.

(I told DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo to come and make sure everyone staying in evacuation centers has a place to sleep, has food, water, and are well taken care of. And to get these evacuees back home as soon as possible.)

"Alam ko naman na pagka ganito lahat ng na evacuate ay talagang gustong bumalik kaagad. Tinitiyak na lang natin na hindi naman magiging delikado ang pagbalik sa inyong mga tahanan, sa inyong mga negosyo. Titiyakin namin na hangga't nandito kayo, hangga't nandito ang mga evacuees ay nasa evacuation center, titiyakin natin na meron kayong sapat na sa lahat ng inyong pangangailanagan hangga't makabalik na nga kayo sa inyong mga lugar. We will take charge here and we will make sure na okay kayong lahat," he added.

(I know that everyone who evacuated would prefer to go back home. We're just making sure that it won't be dangerous to head back home, to your businesses. We will make sure that evacuees here in evacuation centers will have their needs met until you head back to your residences. We will take charge here and we will make sure that you are all okay.)

Based on the DSWD count, at least 2.1 million people were affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng as of Monday. — DVM, GMA News