Marcos says some areas can't be entered yet as floods still high

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that some areas could not be entered yet as they are still submerged in floods. 

Speaking to reporters, Marcos, however, ensured that help is on the way for the affected residents, including medicines and relief goods. 

''Unfortunately we are at the mercy of the weather,'' Marcos said. 

''And there are areas na hindi pa natin mapasok, but mag-aanatay tayo, pagbaba ng tubig, we’re finding ways kahit may baha, eh siyempre may mga rubber boat, magpadala ng doktor, magpadala ng gamot, ng relief goods o kung hindi para i-evacuate 'yung tao,'' he added. 

(And there are areas which we can't enter yet, but we will wait for the floodwaters to subside, we're finding ways that even there's floods we can send doctors, medicines, relief goods or just evacuate the residents.) 

The President, however, did not identify these areas. 

Marcos also pointed out that in the long run, the public must think of adaptation as the impacts of tropical cyclones, as part of climate change, are inevitable. 

''That is the fact of climate change and we are now having to think more. Of course mitigation, kung ano 'yung mga pwedeng gawin para matulungan nga 'yung mga naging biktima (Of course mitigation, whatever we need to do to help the victims),'' he said. 

''Pero in the longer term, kailangan na nating mag-isip tungkol sa adaptation. What do we have to do when it comes again because it will come again,'' Marcos said. 

(In the longer term, we need to think about adaptation.)

He also said arrangements should be ''semi-permanent,'' as natural calamities will keep on happening. 

''As I told them today, this will happen this year, it will happen next year, it will happen the year after that,'' Marcos said.

Marcos, meanwhile, ensured that the government would continue to provide assistance to those displaced by the rains. 

Weather agency PAGASA said the combined effects of Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat are bringing heavy rains in different parts of the country.

Due to Emong, rainfall of over 200 millimeter is expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Benguet from Thursday to Friday noon, according to PAGASA's 11 a.m. advisory.

Habagat, which is enhanced by Dante and Emong, will also bring over 200 mm of rainfall in Bataan and Occidental Mindoro from Thursday to Friday noon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is still hoisted over two areas as Typhoon Emong is seen to make a close approach over Pangasinan province. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News