President Marcos assured those affected by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Neneng that "help is on the way" and that government assets are in place to address the aftermath of the typhoon.
Marcos said this after "Neneng" strengthened into a severe tropical storm on early Sunday, October 16, and made landfall in Calayan Island, Cagayan, at 3:50 am.
In a series of tweets, the President said they are monitoring the situation closely and assured those affected by the typhoon that measures are in place.
"We are watching 'Neneng' closely," he said.
"Government assets are in place to deal with the aftermath and ensure the primary needs of those affected, especially food, safe drinking water, and electricity," he added.
Nevertheless, to the provinces in the North that have felt the effects, help is on the way. We encourage everyone to follow the directives of your LGUs and MDRRMCs. #NenengPH
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) October 16, 2022
Marcos also assured affected residents that help was on the way and asked them to follow government directives as they waited.
"To the provinces in the North that have felt the effects, help is on the way," he said.
"We encourage everyone to follow the directives of your LGUs and MDRRMCs," he added.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 337 families or 960 individuals were pre-emptively evacuated in the downstream municipalities of Lal-lo, Camalaniugan, Baggao, Santa Praxedes, Buguey, Lasam, Ballesteros, and Calayan in Cagayan province.
"Neneng" is the 14th tropical cyclone that hit the Philippines this year. It is the second of two to four tropical cyclones to enter the country in October.
State weather bureau PAGASA expects up to nine tropical cyclones to enter or develop inside the Philippine area of responsibility until March next year.