Marcos keeping track of Pinoys amid widespread flooding, Palace says
At A Glance
- Malacañang defended President Marcos after a video of him singing during First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos' birthday celebration on Aug. 26 surfaced on social media amid severe flooding in Luzon.
- The Palace stressed that spending some time for his family does not mean Marcos is neglecting his duties.
- The President continues to closely monitor the situation, Malacañang said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO)
Malacañang said President Marcos is closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos affected by the intense flooding in various areas in the country.
"Laging tutok ang Pangulo sa sitwasyon. Minomonitor ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin at ng mga bayan na apektado (The President is always closely monitoring the situation. He is keeping track of the condition of our fellow Filipinos and the towns affected)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 30.
According to Castro, Marcos has directed and reminded government agencies to respond quickly to the needs of the victims affected by the heavy rainfall.
The Palace official's statement came amid criticisms against the President after a video of him singing during First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos' birthday celebration on Aug. 26 surfaced on social media.
It drew attention online as parts of Luzon grapple with widespread flooding due to continued heavy rains.
Castro stressed that spending some time for his family does not mean Marcos is neglecting his duties.
"Ang Pangulo ay Pangulo saan man siya naroroon. Ang paglalaan ng ilang oras para sa kanyang pamilya ay hindi nangangahulugang tumitigil ang kanyang tungkulin o ang operasyon ng pamahalaan (The President is the President wherever he may be. Setting aside some time for his family does not mean that he is neglecting his duties or that the government’s operations have come to a halt)," Castro said.
She assured the public that he continues to monitor the situation.
"Sa gitna ng matinding pag-ulan, patuloy ang kanyang pagbabantay at pag-uutos sa mga ahensya upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at agarang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan (Amid the heavy rains, he continues to monitor the situation and direct government agencies to ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos and provide immediate assistance to those in need)," Castro said.
Parts of the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and other nearby regions experience severe flooding caused by relentless downpours due to the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said 2.3 million families or 8.1 million individuals were affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon, with 646 areas flooded across seven regions.