Marcos Jr. urges Filipinos to heed gov’t advisories as PH reels from heavy rains, flash floods

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Filipinos to heed advisories from the national government and local officials as the Philippines continues to suffer from flash floods brought by heavy rains early this week.

The President — who is in Washington for his first official meeting with US President Donald Trump — issued a video statement after reports of flash floods and displaced families made headlines back in the Philippines.

“Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo ay pakinggan ninyo po ang sinasabing advisory ng inyong LGU, ng national government at pakisundan lang po para matiyak natin na hindi kayo malagay sa alanganin,” he said.

“Nandito kami lagi upang magbigay ng lahat ng serbisyo na kailangan sa harap ng hamon ng climate change. Siguraduhin natin na mas mapalakas ang kakayahan ng pamahalaan na tumugon sa agnitong klaseng sitwasyon,” he said.

Marcos Jr. also assured Filipinos that despite his physical absence in the Philippines, government agencies have been given specific instructions to address the needs of affected residents.

“Sinabihan ko na ang lahat ng ahensya na magtrabaho sila at mag-coordinate sila upang tiyakin na ligtas ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.

“Ang mga relief goods ay naka handa na, dinedeliver na sa area na nangangailangan
Yung mga medical team kasabay na din ng relief goods at tinitiyak natin na may transportasyon, sapat na supply ng tubig at kuryente,” he said.

“Lahat ito ay para sa mga naging biktima ng mga naging pagbaha at malakas na ulan.”

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro earlier said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is already coordinating with US and Japanese troops to aid in rescue and relief operations.

As of July 21, classes and government work have been suspended in several areas as numerous cities and towns in the Philippines were submerged in floods after severe tropical storm Crising barreled across Luzon.

While Crising has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on July 19, state weather bureau PAGASA spotted 2 low pressure areas that may further trigger heavy rains throughout the country in the coming days.