Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tasked chiefs of police and other unit commanders to provide sufficient security measures in areas where assistance is being distributed to families affected by monsoon rains and flooding.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. stated that local police units have been closely monitoring relief distribution activities to prevent individuals or groups from disrupting the delivery of assistance to affected families. "The presence of your police is not only limited to peace and order, it is more of an assurance to all our kababayan (fellow citizens) that their PNP will always be there to assist, especially at this time of serious challenge," said Nartatez. This initiative aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure that government assistance reaches affected communities safely and without disruption.
The heightened police presence is a response to the ongoing relief operations in provinces across Luzon, following massive flooding caused by monsoon rains. Police units have been instructed to remain vigilant against attempts to exploit the ongoing disaster response, including schemes targeting families waiting for government assistance. Nartatez warned against individuals or groups who may take advantage of relief operations, emphasizing that relief goods are intended for affected families and are distributed free of charge. "We urge the public to immediately report to us cases of individuals and groups that are taking advantage of this using any kind of modus and we will run after them," he stated.
Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directives to execute plans on flood control projects, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized the necessity of a whole-of-government approach to effectively address the country's persistent flooding problem. He highlighted that corruption-free implementation and sound politics can deliver government projects that genuinely benefit and protect communities.
Remulla called for unity across all levels of government and the elimination of politicking in the implementation of local infrastructure projects, as efforts to address widespread flooding intensify following habagat-induced heavy rains that inundated major parts of Luzon. "Kailangan magkaisa tayo. Mula local hanggang national, dapat magkaisa tayo. Wala kang makikitang kalokohan dito. Ito ang resulta ng tamang politika (We need to unite. From local to national, we must unite. You won't find any nonsense here. This is the result of good politics)," he said during the turnover of the Imus Retarding Basin in Imus City, Cavite.
Remulla noted that the project, valued at more than PHP 2 billion, was implemented through collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the government, resulting in flood control infrastructure designed to deliver concrete protection to communities. With the facility's formal turnover to the Cavite provincial government, the local government unit will now assume responsibility for its maintenance and security to ensure its long-term functionality amid the continuing threat of tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon.
