Marcos orders 'conveyor belt of aid'

With pleas for help from thousands affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine appearing to overwhelm private and government aid groups, President Marcos has ordered concerned agencies to set up "a conveyor belt of aid" for victims, even as another weather disturbance looms this weekend.

- HELEN FLORES

"I want to see a conveyor belt of aid that is constantly delivering aid to the front," the President said in a statement yesterday.

To speed up and streamline disaster response, Marcos directed Cabinet secretaries to lead relief and rehabilitation work in specific areas.

He also ordered Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to immediately release funds "so that needed resources can be procured expeditiously." "The DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) shall rush to all affected areas to provide relief goods, both pre-positioned and new supplies, to augment those provided by the local government units," the Chief Executive said.

"As soon as weather permits, the DSWD will mobilize the grant of financial aid under existing government programs," he added.

The President also ordered the "full mobilization" of available personnel and resources of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for relief operations. The Philippine Air Force said it has deployed three of its C-130 aircraft for delivery of relief supplies to the Bicol region.

Other uniformed services such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Coast Guard are placed under the same status, he said.

"I have ordered them to deploy vehicles, aircraft, boats, ships and all other transportation assets for, first rescue, and then relief and rehabilitation.

This includes presidential helicopters," Marcos said.

He also canceled all personnel leaves, except for medical reasons and those with humanitarian justifications, in the uniformed services.

The PNP said it would utilize three helicopters for search and relief operations, spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.

"All personnel are required to exert efforts to render humanitarian assistance particularly in affected areas, and mobility assets are ready for deployment if the need arises," Fajardo said over PTV Bagong Pilipinas.