MANILA, Philippines — Preparedness characterized the government’s disaster response during the onslaught of tropical depression Vicky in Mindanao on Friday, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.
Continuous rain for over 12 hours on Friday inundated large parts of Eastern Mindanao, including Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte as well as Davao City, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. Major highways became impassable due to floods that reached up to rooftops in many areas.
“We laud the local government units (LGUs) of the affected areas for their timely pro-active preparation as well as their readiness in responding to the effects of TD Vicky in their localities,” Roque said.
He said President Duterte was monitorng the situation as disaster and relief personnel fanned out across affected areas for rescue and relief operations.
Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino told The STAR that they have not received reports of casualties so far, although one individual was reported missing. He gave no further details.
He said there was good coordination among LGUs, the Armed Forces and the police.
“The LGUs asked us for personnel they need for search and rescue operations,” Faustino added.
“We ask the public, especially those living in the affected areas, to stay calm, remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate in case local authorities advise them to do so, regularly monitor government advisories and weather updates for more information,” Roque said.
‘I’m here’
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo told critics she was up and about coordinating with authorities in affected areas, as she taunted critics for their #NasaanAngBisePresidente hashtag which briefly trended on social media at the height of Vicky’s onslaught.
“Andito po ako. Kanina pa kami nag co-coordinate sa areas na apektado (I’m here. We have been coordinating with areas affected),” she said on Facebook, responding to posts by critics.
“Pagdasal po natin mga kababayan natin sa Agusan del Sur at Surigao del Sur na binabaha ngayon (Let us pray for our countrymen in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur who are experiencing flooding right now),” she added.
The hashtag directed at Robredo was an apparent imitation of the #NasaanAngPangulo hashtag that previously trended on social media, which questioned President Duterte’s supposed absence during recent typhoons.
The hashtag irked Duterte, who accused Robredo on national television of making a show of relief efforts she spearheaded in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses last month.
In another update regarding Vicky, Robredo said they have been trying to get information about the flooding in Mindanao.
“In Agusan del Sur, the affected areas are Rosario, Bayugan, San Francisco, Veruela and Sta Josefa. In Agusan del Norte, Butuan Centro and some low-lying barangays are likewise flooded but we were told the situation is manageable,” she said in a post late Friday night.
“We have been informed that the floods have subsided already in Bayugan and Veruela. We were told that power is out in some parts of Rosario and we are still awaiting updates from the other towns until now,” she added.
She also noted information citing the towns of Barobo and Tagbina in Surigao del Sur as among those affected.
“We received in the comments section info that Bislig in Surigao del Sur is badly affected. We were informed just this morning that Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur was also badly affected,” Robredo said in her post. – Christina Mendez, Janvic Mateo