BBM orders swift assistance to flooded, isolated areas

President Marcos ordered on Wednesday the swift release of assistance, especially to areas isolated due to flooding brought by incessant rains dumped by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

- HELEN FLORES and ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos presided over a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday morning after attending an event in Pasay City.

The President ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to work closely with the Office of Civil Defense for the quick delivery of aid to affected residents.

"I think the response is OK. We just have to keep it up. The DSWD continues the support... you (DSWD) work with the OCD so that you can focus your attention on those areas that we will have to service that are presently isolated," Marcos said. "We need to know where they are." "That's important because some of those people haven't eaten for a few days. So as soon as possible our assistance should be ready because we know that they are the priority - that situation is critical," he said.