President Marcos assured the local executives in the Caraga region that the national government is ready to provide the necessary reconstruction assistance following the recent flooding in several parts of Mindanao.

Marcos said this during the situation briefing on the effects of the low-pressure area (LPA) that hit the Caraga region this month.

In his remarks, the President told the local executives that the government has sufficient resources to address the current challenges brought about by the calamity but they must relay their specific needs to it, such as Agusan del Norte’s need to relocate some 4,000 families living in danger zones.

"We depend on the LGU (local government units) to tell us where it is going to go, what kind of community we’re trying to put together again,” he said.

Some 117,073 families or 469,707 persons were affected in the Caraga region as of February 15, 2024. Of whom, 643 families or 2,568 persons are in evacuation centers.

So far, the government has provided P107 million worth of assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and LGUs to the affected families.

The combined effects of the shear line, northeast monsoon, and trough of the LPA caused damage and losses in the region’s agriculture sector worth P237.25 million, affecting 10,236 farmers and fishers and 15,350 hectares.

Meanwhile, President Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a structural assessment on the building of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Agusan del Sur, which was damaged by the strong earthquake in Caraga in December last year.

Marcos said this after Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel raised their concern about the Pagasa building in Hinatuan that was damaged by the earthquake in the region, affecting the agency’s Doppler radar that monitors weather disturbances.
 

“Have a look at it kasi very important ‘yan (because that is vital) for the forecasting," he told DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who was present during the briefing.

"[So that] at least may warnings tayo when these things happen. Mayroon tayong warning na may parating na (We will be warned about) heavy rains, low-pressure area,” he added.

President Marcos also ordered Bonoan to closely coordinate with the local government about the issue, citing the importance of monitoring weather occurrences during El Niño.

“The forecast has become more and more important. Forecasting has become even more important than it always was,” he said.