President Duterte sought to ensure the swift relief and rehabilitation of communities affected by storm "Auring" during a visit in Surigao del Sur Tuesday.
The President first conducted an aerial inspection of the storm-hit areas before attending a situation briefing on the extent of damage of the latest weather disturbance in the Caraga region.
A video of the President conducting the aerial inspection of the flood areas was shared by his former assistant and now Senator Christopher Go with the media. The President came from Manila where he convened a Cabinet meeting at the Palace Monday.
After seeing the devastation caused by Auring, the President met with several Cabinet members and local government officials on the disaster relief efforts in Tandag, Surigao del Sur. In the photos released by the senator on his Facebook page, the President and Cabinet officials were seen providing assistance to affected residents.
Among the Cabinet officials who flew to Surigao were Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado.
Early Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the President was expected to visit the storm-hit areas to see firsthand the impact of the storm and address any gaps in the government relief efforts.
"Rest assured, government continues to closely monitor the situation, and preparedness and response measures are already in place," Nograles said during a televised press briefing.
Auring, the country's first tropical storm this year, has brought heavy rains in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao in recent days. Massive flooding was reported in Surigao del Sur after a major river overflowed.
Nograles said 29,008 families or 112,734 individuals have been affected by the typhoon. "A total of 18,996 families or 69,682 individuals have been evacuated, and financial assistance has been extended to all those affected,” he said.