Marcos satisfied with PH preemptive measures for Uwan

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was satisfied with the preemptive measures imposed ahead of the impact of Super Typhoon Uwan, which has weakened into a severe tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked if the President was satisfied with the preparations for Uwan. 

"Yes, opo, ang mga nangyayari po kasing kalamidad at sakuna, minsan hindi po natin maiiwasan at nangyayari ito na hindi natin ginugusto so 'yung mga paghahanda po na ipinapakita ng mga agencies na nakakapagsagip ng mga tao mula sa peligro, nakikita po ng Pangulo ang magandang ginagawa ng ating mga ahensya," Castro said. 

(Yes. Sometimes we cannot prevent these calamities or disasters from happening so the preparations being enforced by agencies, which helped save people from danger, were seen by the President.) 

Castro said the preemptive measures of local government units have been of great help in saving families from the impact of Uwan. 

"Dahil po sa preemptive measures na ginagawa po ng ahensya po natin, sa utos na rin po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., mas malaki po ang nagiging pagsagip natin sa ating mga kababayan," she said. 

(Due to the preemptive measures by our agencies, as instructed by President Marcos Jr., more of our countrymen were saved.)

Earlier, Marcos lauded as "a difference-maker" the preemptive evacuation done by the local government units in the areas on the path of Uwan, previously categorized as a super typhoon.

Marcos made the remark as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said preemptive evacuation efforts for 426,000 families have significantly reduced casualties.

The President thanked local governments, first responders, and volunteers "for acting quickly and working together to keep our people safe."

"The preemptive evacuations you carried out made all the difference. Napakalaking bagay ng inyong maagap na pagkilos (Your prompt response was a huge factor)," Marcos said.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Tuesday the reported death toll from Uwan has increased to 18. — VDV, GMA Integrated News