If the weather permits, President Duterte is expected to visit Surigao del Sur Tuesday, Feb. 23, following the onslaught of tropical storm Auring in the Caraga region.

According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the President wanted to see for himself the extent of the damage caused by the storm, and issue directives related to the swift relief and recovery of the affected communities.

The President will be accompanied by some Cabinet members in his visit to the province. 

"Ngayong araw nakatakdang bisitahin ni Pangulong Duterte ang mga nasalantang lugar para makita firsthand ang damage na dulot ng bagyong ito (Today, the President is set to visit the affected areas to see first hand the damage caused by the storm),” Nograles said during a televised press briefing Tuesday.

"Weather-permitting, the President intends to visit and bring with him some Cabinet members para mabilis din ang aksyon pag may nakita siyang gaps na dapat pang gawin over and above sa mga ginagawa na ng gobyerno (so the action will be fast if he sees any gaps that must be done over and above what the government is doing)” he added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque earlier said the President was also expected to attend a situation briefing by disaster relief officials while in Surigao del Sur.

The tropical storm brought heavy rains that triggered floods in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao in the past few days. Thousands of residents have taken refuge in temporary shelters due to the storm.

As of Monday, Nograles said 29,008 families or 112,734 individuals have been affected by the typhoon. "Thankfully we do not have any casualties," he said.

He said a total of 18,996 families or 69,682 individuals have been evacuated, and financial assistance has been extended to all those affected. 

"Rest assured, government continues to closely monitor the situation, and preparedness and response measures are already in place," he said.