Marcos to Kristine flood victims: Help is on the way

President Ferdinand Marcos directed concerned agencies to step up preparations in areas expected to be affected as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine heads to Northern Luzon.

At the same time, he called for intensified efforts of relief operations in the Bicol Region, vowing to families devastated by the floods that government help is on the way.

"Sa mga minamahal kong kababayan na apektado ng bagyong ito, o may mga kapamilya o minamahal na naninirahan sa mga lugar na direktang tinamaan: dumating na ang tulong sa maraming lugar, paparating na ang tulong sa iba pa, ipagkakaloob ang buong saklolo, at walang sinumang Pilipino ang maiiwan," Marcos said in a statement.

(To my beloved countrymen affected by this storm, or who have family or friends directly hit by this calamity: help has arrived in a number of areas, aid will come to others, and you will get full assistance, no Filipinos will be left behind.)

"We are now intensifying, as well, preparations as this generational typhoon makes its way to Southern Tagalog, and barrels towards Northern Luzon. Our priority there is to mitigate the damage it may cause, evacuate those living in hazardous areas, and preposition necessary goods and personnel to ensure the continuous availability of essential supplies once the Typhoon arrives," he added.

The President also called on the private sector's assistance in helping flooded communities.

"We direct all agencies and offices of the government, as well as our partners in the private and non-government sector, to pitch in, strengthen and reinforce the bulwark which we have built against this raging tempest," he said.

The President said government agencies have been "tirelessly and urgently working towards the immediate deployment of relief, recovery, and rehabilitation" in areas in the Bicol Region that suffered the wrath of Kristine.

"Lahat ng mapagkukunan ng inyong pambansang pamahalaan ay inalaaan upang ipaabot bilang kinakailangan na tulong, tungo sa mabilisang pagbalik ng normal na kondisyon at pamumuhay sa mga apektadong lugar," he said.

(All government resources necessary will be extended to the typhoon victims to help them recover.)

"Sa ating nagkakaisa at mabilisang galaw at pagkilos, malalampasan natin ang unos na ito, muling itatayo ang mga nasira nito, at babangon tayo muli bilang isang mas matatag at mas matibay na bayan," Marcos said.

(With our unified and quick action, we will overcome this calamity and will rise stronger.)

At least 20 people were reported dead as rescuers raced to reach residents still stranded by flooding in the hard-hit Bicol region after torrential rains from Kristine submerged villages.

Based on PAGASA's weather bulletin as of 8 p.m. Thursday, Signal No. 2 was hoisted over 21 areas in Luzon as  Kristine moved toward Lingayen Gulf.—LDF, GMA Integrated News