Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
July 24, 2024

“Communities that are still isolated, that’s what we need to see… we need to know where they are. The moment that it is passable, makapasok na tayo ng gamit. We need to identify those areas na hindi pa natin natulungan,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated as he presided over a situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon that continues to inundate the entire Metro Manila.

According to Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Marcelino Villafuerte of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Carina will continue to bring heavy and intense rain before it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow. This has caused Metro Manila and nearby towns in Rizal, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan to be categorized under Red (Torrential) Warning, where serious flooding is expected.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Cesar Idio reported that 23,197 families are affected by the torrential rain and an estimated PhP29 million has been provided for assistance. He also reported that damages in agriculture has reached PhP9.7 million, affecting MIMAROPA and Regions VI, IX and X, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Additionally, 96 roads have been declared as impassable.

Furthermore, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Leo Quintilla reported that a total of 45,328 families or 191,062 individuals are affected in 225 barangays in Metro Manila and in Regions I, II, III, V, VI, VII, CAR, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. discussed the flooding situation, particularly noting that the Marikina River is on the brink of swelling as it reaches the highest alert level. He recommended that the entire Metro Manila be placed under a State of Calamity — an announcement he is set to make later this afternoon.

The Chief Executive reminded officials to evacuate residents living alongside riverbanks before releasing water from dams, citing the grim situation that occurred in Cagayan de Oro.

Concluding the situation briefing, President Marcos Jr. expressed his confidence that the government is prepared to address the situation given the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been set in place.

“I am happy to note that there are only very few special instructions I have to give kasi meron na tayong SOPs. Let’s just continue follow the standard procedures and follow on critical areas,” the President said in closing.

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