Duterte to visit flood-hit Cagayan Valley
Malacañang said Saturday that President Duterte may conduct an aerial inspection of flood-hit Cagayan Valley and Isabela despite his busy schedule.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the sudden flooding in Cagayan that left people crying desperately for help late Friday night and has so far killed nine people.
In an announcement over State-run PTV-4, Roque did not discount the possibility of Duterte heading over to the flood-hit areas as he has always done this whenever there is a calamity.
"'Yan naman po ay nakaugalian na ng ating Presidente. Siya po ay nag-aerial survey dito sa Metro Manila. Inaasahan po natin na... (That's what the President always did. He conducted an aerial survey here in Metro Manila. We can expect it, too)," he said.
However, Roque said that the President is busy with the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits.
"Ang problema nga lang po talaga may ASEAN. Siguro po gagawan ng paraan ng Presidente para makaikot din po diyan sa mga lugar na 'yan (The problem is we have the ASEAN now. Perhaps the President will look for a way so he can go to those places)," he said.
"Abangan lang po natin dahil mahirap nga po ang kanyang movement dahil hindi lang po ASEAN, panahon din ng COVID (Let's just wait and see because it's difficult for him to move nowadays not just because of the ASEAN but also because of the COVID-19 pandemic)," he added.
Following the onslaught of typhoon “Ulysses” Thursday, Duterte took exception to criticisms about his supposed absences whenever a typhoon is ravaging the country, saying he wants to personally share the agony of the people but his security detail will not allow him to.
Duterte explained that he was participating in the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and that the Presidential Security Group won’t let him leave during the typhoon.
Roque said that Duterte will study the recommendation to declare a state of calamity in areas affected by recent typhoons, saying the more important thing now is to help the people in need.
"'Yan naman po ay bibigyan ng atensyon (The President will give attention to that)," he said.
"Ang importante po ngayon ay ang quick response para sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Lahat naman po ng pangangailangan nila ay pinararating natin sa ngayon (What's important is the quick response to give what the people need. We're giving everything they are asking for)," he added.