Marcos: Relief efforts struggle in Bicol due to floods even after Kristine

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday said relief efforts were hampered in Bicol Region due to floods that have yet to recede in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

"'Yung problema namin dito, marami pang area na baha pa rin, hindi pa rin mapasok na kahit 'yung malalaking trucks hindi pa rin kayang pasukin," Marcos said in an interview with reporters during his visit in Camarines Sur.

(The problem we have here is that even the big trucks are unable to enter areas that remain flooded.)

"It's getting better but there really still are areas na kahit anong gawin namin, hindi maipasok (It's getting better but there really still area areas that we could not enter, no matter what we do)," he said, adding that responders have to utilize rubber boats for the relief efforts.

Despite this, Marcos said relief operations are "in place" as authorities continue to distribute food packs and hygiene kits to those affected by Kristine.

"Na-in place lahat 'yan. Sapat naman 'yung ating supplies so far," the President said.

(All of these have been put in place. Supplies are enough so far.)

Marcos lamented how structures in Bicol Region, including roads and bridges, were damaged due to floods.

"The rainfall that happened with this storm is almost double of Ondoy," he pointed out.

"'Yung Ondoy nakaya pa. Meron naman tayong maraming flood control, meron tayong mga dike, meron tayong mga pumping station, meron tayong flood control gates. Pero sumobra lang talaga 'yung tubig, at hindi lahat ng flood control natin na dati naman ay nakakayanan kahit na may ulan... 'yun ay nasapawan because the water was just too much."

(The challenges posed by Ondoy were overcome. Now, we have a lot of flood control measures. We have dikes, pumping stations, flood control gates. But during Kristine, not all of our flood control measures were able to cope because the water was just too much)

Amid the continuing rescue operations, Marcos said relief goods and cash benefits have been distributed in evacuation centers in Naga City.

In a situation briefing, Marcos said he would revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program, a project of his late father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine's onslaught.

He said this effort will focus on the flood control aspect of the project.

"Huwag na nating asahan na hindi na mangyayari ito. Ganiyan talaga ang climate change, severe weather. This is the new situation that we have to deal with kaya harapin na natin at gawan na natin ng paraan para ang Bicol River Basin ay hindi na paulit-ulit na nababaha," Marcos said.

(Let's not expect that this will never happen again. Climate change, severe weather, are like that. This is the new situation that we have to deal with, so let's face it and find a way so that the Bicol River Basin will not be flooded again and again.)

Marcos said the BRBDP is aimed to be started on or before 2026.

"Hopefully within the next two years masimulan na itong project na ito (Hopefully this project can be started within the next two years)," he said.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Saturday said at least 81 people have been reported dead following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

Data provided by the OCD chief showed that the bulk of reported deaths were from CALABARZON at 48, followed by Bicol Region (Region V) at 28 killed.

Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Ilocos Region (Region I), and Zamboanga Peninsula Region (Region IX) have reported two, one, and one deaths, respectively.

Nepomuceno added that 66 persons were reported injured and 34 were reported missing. — VDV, GMA Integrated News