Marcos: Gov't stepping up calamity preparedness

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. guaranteed that his administration is stepping up its preparedness for strong calamities caused by climate change.

Marcos said this during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families in Pangasinan on Friday.

“Titiyakin po naming doble o triple pa ang ating paghahanda at pag-iingat sa harap ng mga kalamidad na lalong pinalalakas ng tinatawag na climate change,” Marcos said in his speech.

(We will ensure that we are doubling our preparations amid the occurrence of calamities.)

Marcos also called for the utilization of available resources and knowledge materials, such as geohazard maps to ensure public safety amid the calamities.

“Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na gamitin ang ating kaalaman, materyales, at pondo upang mas maging handa tayo anuman ang pagsubok na dumating sa atin,” Marcos said.

(I call on everyone to use resources, assets, and funds so that we can be prepared for any challenges.) 

“Tulad ng mga geohazard maps—ito pong geohazard maps ito ang mga ginagawa ng DOST at PAGASA, itong mapa upang maipakita kung saan dadaan ang bagyo, anong mga lugar ang maaaring tamaan,” he added.

(This includes geohazard maps crafted by the DOST at PAGASA, the maps which will show the path of the tropical cyclones and the areas that could be hit.) 

The Office of the President provided P10,000 each to 5,000 beneficiaries across the six congressional districts of the municipalities of Pangasinan. This aid aims to help the livelihoods of the recipients, enabling them to recover from the recent tropical cyclones.

As of November 21, 2024, the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that approximately 18,514 families or 59,325 individuals were affected by Super Typhoon Pepito.—LDF, GMA Integrated News