President Marcos has ordered the immediate release of government assistance to areas hit by El Niño.

In order to effectively do this, Marcos sought closer coordination between the national government and the local government units (LGUs) for the swift distribution of all forms of assistance to the residents affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Occidental Mindoro.

During a situation briefing in the province on Tuesday, April 23, Marcos said that the LGUs should inform the national government about the needs of their constituents as they know the situation on the ground while the latter will be responsible in providing all the assistance needed.

“Kailangan yung coordination ng national government at saka yung local government ay kailangang matibay para hindi nag-aantay ng matagal, hindi na stock-up yung mga tulong na dapat ibigay (The coordination between the national government and local government must be strong so that those who are in need would not wait too long, and the assistance would not be stuck,” Marcos said.

He added that there must be a good coordination between the national and local governments "because the assistance are already there, the food packs, the relief goods are all there."

“Pero, kailangang mapaabot natin dun sa mga talagang nangangailangan at hindi lang yung malapit sa poblasyon, pero lahat talaga lalo na yung mga malalayo kailangang matulungan natin (But we need to extend this to those who really need it, not only those who are near the town but especially those who are in far-flung areas),” he added.  

Marcos visited Occidental Mindoro to provide financial assistance and other services to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

The President was also briefed by the local government officials about the situation in the province.