Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is satisfied with the government’s swift disaster response and coordination that helped minimize casualties during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong), Malaca±ang said Tuesday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President is pleased with how government agencies and local government units handled Uwan’s impact, which left only six reported deaths despite its destructive strength.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro noted that the Department of Energy (DOE) has already restored electricity in 454 out of 712 affected municipalities, or over 60 percent of all storm-hit areas, citing a report from Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), led by Secretary Henry Aguda, reported that most cell sites and internet connections are now back online-82 percent for Smart, 77 percent for Globe, 63 percent for DITO, and 79 percent for Converge.
The Palace highlighted the President’s directive for round-the-clock road clearing operations under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the dispatch of Cabinet officials to lead relief and rehabilitation work in provinces battered by Uwan and Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi). Among them were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in Catanduanes overseeing food distribution, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in Leyte leading medical response, Education Secretary Sonny Angara in Negros Occidental inspecting damaged schools, and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin monitoring power restoration.
Castro mentioned that President Marcos continues to monitor preparations as PAGASA warned of Uwan’s possible reentry into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The weather bureau said Uwan will possibly reenter PAR on Wednesday night and make landfall in Taiwan’s southwestern coast before weakening into a remnant low.
Uwan, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph, made landfall in Dinalungan, Aurora on Sunday night, bringing destructive winds, flooding, and landslides that displaced hundreds of thousands across Luzon. Despite the devastation, Marcos said preemptive evacuations ‘made all the difference’ as these significantly reduced potential casualties.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined the President in acknowledging the LGUs’ efforts across the country for their swift and decisive action in carrying out preemptive evacuations and early response operations. ‘Through prompt warnings, clear coordination, and on-the-ground leadership, governors, mayors, barangay officials, and disaster response teams safely moved more than 1.6 million individuals, or nearly 490,000 families, away from danger,’ the DILG said in a statement.
The DILG extended its gratitude to police officers, firefighters, and volunteers who risked their safety amid heavy rains and strong winds to bring families to evacuation centers, assist in relief efforts, and secure affected areas. ‘The department continues to work alongside all LGUs in strengthening disaster preparedness, coordination, and recovery efforts nationwide,’ the DILG said.
