Marcos: Rescue, relief efforts to continue amid Pepito

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said that the government will proceed with its rescue and relief operations to help Filipinos in need in the aftermath of Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-Yi).

Despite Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 being raised over several parts of Luzon over the weekend due to Pepito, the effects of the super typhoon were not as bad as they feared, Marcos said.

“But now, we will now carry on with the rescue of those isolated areas and the continuing relief for those who are…who have been displaced and have no means to prepare their own meals and have no water supplies,” the President said in an ambush interview during the 49th Philippine National Prayer Breakfast (PNPB) at Malacañang.

Rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the storm will also continue, Marcos added.

One person reportedly died in Daet, Camarines Norte due to Pepito, according to its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) on Sunday.

Marcos lamented the one reported fatality, saying the situation was unfortunate.

“We have been monitoring Pepito all night. At [and] unfortunately, I’m sorry and saddened to report that mayroon tayong casualty na isa sa [we have one casualty in] Cam Norte. And you know my feelings about that is that one casualty is one casualty too many,” he said.

The President also thanked the first responders, the local government units, and everyone who worked to provide assistance throughout the six consecutive storms that hit the country starting from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine up to Pepito.

“I’m sure that they are exhausted. I am sure that they have done – they continue to do and work as hard as they can. Kaya’t tayo po’y nagpapasalamat sa kanila [that’s why we’re thanking them],” he said.

Tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel, and Pepito have affected a total of 1,145,942 individuals or 295,576 families in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday. —KG, GMA Integrated News