#NasaanAngBisePresidente (where is the vice president)?
So goes the hashtag circulating on social media as parts of Mindanao experienced flash flood due to Tropical Depression “Vicky”.
“Andito po ako. Kanina pa kami nagco-coordinate sa areas na apektado (I’m here. We have been coordinating with the affected areas),” Vice President Leni Robredo gamely responded, citing her office’s efforts to coordinate to disprove claims she’s missing in action amid the flooding in Mindanao.
“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 now experiencing floods),” Robredo added.
Her post was accompanied by a meme looking for her with a message by a netizen: “Madam Lenie, where na (are) you?”
The hashtag is an imitation of #NasaanAngPangulo that trended online during the absence of President Duterte at the height of recent typhoons.
After disputing trolls’ claims, the vice president then provided updates in a separate post of the developments in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
Floods inundated parts of these two provinces due to the relentless rains brought about by the unfavorable weather condition.
TD Vicky made landfall in the town of Baganga, Davao Oriental, on Friday afternoon, with storm warning signal No. 1 raised over 30 areas.
The vice president said those hit by floods were Rosario, Bayugan, San Francisco, Veruela, and Sta Josefa in Agusan del Sur.
“In Agusan del Norte, Butuan Centro and some low-lying barangays are likewise flooded but we were told the situation is manageable,” she said.
Robredo added they also got word from the ground that the towns of Barobo and Tagbina as well as Bislig were the most affected by floods in Surigao del Sur.