Marcos wants 'more dynamic assessment' of tropical cyclones hitting PH

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said concerned agencies should strictly monitor the weather disturbances that are seen to hit the country.

''We have to stay conscious of the weather systems that are developing that are now approaching the country. So kailangan natin [we need] … We have to have a more dynamic assessment,'' Marcos said during the situational briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

''Hindi na ito ‘yung set piece kung tawagin natin. Set piece na, okay, may bagyo, padadaanin natin, pasok tayo ganoon… Hindi na ‘yung ganoon, tapos balik na tayo, withdraw na tayo. Hindi na ganoon eh,'' he added.

[This is not anymore what we call set piece. Under a set piece, we say there's a storm or typhoon, we'll let it pass ... we'll enter this. It's not like that anymore. Then we go back, we withdraw. It's not like that anymore.]

Marcos said weather bureau PAGASA should serve as the guide when it comes to these weather systems.

''I know that it’s becoming more and more difficult. Again, I’ve mentioned this before. But one phenomenon that we’ve noticed with climate change is how the weather systems developed much more quickly than they used to,'' he said.

According to PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Marcelino Villafuerte II, two to three tropical cyclones may enter the country this month.

In October, two to three tropical cyclones are also expected, Villafuerte said. He added that one to two tropical cyclones may hit the country in November and December.

After the situational briefing, Marcos conducted an aerial inspection of the areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi).

In a separate Facebook post, Marcos said the aerial inspection was conducted in Marikina, the rest of Metro Manila, Antipolo, and Rizal.

''Ín line with our directive for a more dynamic and flexible disaster response, I have instructed our agencies to remain adaptive in maximizing resources and addressing the immediate needs of affected communities,'' the President said.

Enteng death toll

Also at the briefing, the Office of Civil Defense said 15 people died during the onslaught of Enteng.

In addition, 15 individuals were reported injured while 21 others missing due to the storm.

OCD Director of Operations Service Cesar Idio said the Department of Agriculture has reported a total of P351 million worth of losses, affecting 13,623 farmers with a volume of production loss of 14,814 metric tons and 8,893 hectares of agricultural areas of rice, corn, and high-value crops.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency has already deployed 133,000 family food packs for those affected by the bad weather.

Idio said two areas have declared a state of calamity: Naga City, Camarines Sur, and Allen, Northern Samar.

''We are working closely with local government units to fast-track recovery efforts and ensure swift assistance,'' Marcos said. — RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News