STATEMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY MARTIN ANDANAR ON THE PCOO AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES’ CONTINUED EFFORTS OF INFORMING THE PUBLIC REGARDING TYPHOON ODETTE
The Duterte administration remains on top of the situation, having prepared early on for the entry of Typhoon Odette in our country, particularly in the Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions.
As we have made and undertaken interagency prior risk assessments, various components of the relief operations and disaster responses through regional disaster risk reduction and management councils (RDRRMCs) and other regional offices of line departments have been pre-positioned to immediately respond to the communities foreseen to be impacted by typhoon Odette.The DSWD has allotted standby funds and stockpiles of food packs in its central and field offices. While the DOH has dedicated teams to monitor health impacts by the typhoon, especially in evacuation centers, as well as supplies of medicines in regional offices.
Pre-emptive evacuation and support in other operations of the RDRRMCs are being augmented by the assistance being provided by the AFP and the DILG.
For our part, the PCOO and its attached agencies, through our Integrated News Team and Laging Handa crisis communications initiative, continue to provide needed and timely information and updates regarding Typhoon Odette and its foreseen impacts using all government instrumentalities.
We ask the public, particularly those in the affected regions, to follow all the directives of the national and local government units and to monitor all warnings and advisories to ensure their safety and welfare from the tropical depression.
We also remind everyone, especially those in evacuation centers, to continue observing all health protocols, such as of wearing face masks and safe physical distancing, as much as possible in order to minimize infection from COVID-19.