Govt agencies told to brace for Marce
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed all government agencies to remain on high alert as the country braces for Typhoon Marce. Marcos also reiterated the need to ensure that relevant information reaches communities promptly and that on-the-ground situations are reported accurately. "To all the government agencies, you all know the drill. I am placing you all on high alert. Let's start having an efficient system of communication for the speedy dissemination of information to the public," he said. He also tasked units at all levels of government, including those that can reinforce rescue and relief operations, to prepare their equipment and vehicles. Authorities were also told to monitor water levels in waterways and reservoirs, a follow-up to his earlier order to the Department of Science and Technology to improve their warning systems and establish a standard procedure for the gradual release of water from dams before typhoons make landfall to reduce flood risks. "Prepare all rescue equipment at all levels of government, from all agencies who can lend them, especially vehicles," he said. All relief goods stored in warehouses must also be easily accessible for their fast delivery and pre-positioning in areas in the path of the typhoon, he said. The President likewise ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stand by for road-clearing operations. Typhoon Marce was almost stationary over the waters east of northern Cagayan while packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph, the state-run weather agency said on Wednesday. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Marce's eye was at 295 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. Pagasa said Signal No. 3 was up over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan. Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 was raised over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga, the northern portion of Abra, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur. Signal No. 1 was up over the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northwestern portion of Pangasinan, the rest of Abra, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the northern portion of Aurora, the weather bureau said. Also on Wednesday, the President distributed P50 million worth of financial assistance to farmers and fishers affected by the recent onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in Camarines Sur. Some 5,000 beneficiaries from 15 municipalities received P10,000 each through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families program. In his speech at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, the President expressed hope that the assistance would help the beneficiaries in their recovery from the effects of the storm. Of the 5,000 beneficiaries, 600 each are from the municipalities of Minalabac and Nabua; 500 each from Milaor and Bula; 450 from San Fernando; 400 each from Gainza and Baao; 350 from Canaman; 250 each from Libmanan and Camaligan; and 200 each from Calabanga and Pili. Financial aid will also be extended to 100 residents each from the municipalities of Pamplona, Bombon, and Magarao. Marcos assured the public that the government was working hard to restore normalcy to the areas ravaged by Kristine. The President said the government would continue pouring aid to typhoon victims in Bicol. "It will not just be the aid being given by the Department of Agriculture. Funds will also come from the Office of the President to help those affected by the typhoon," he said. Meanwhile, the President said work on the Bicol River Basin Development Project (BRBDP) would start in the first quarter of 2025. Marcos said he had directed the DPWH and other concerned to collaborate with the local government units to ensure an integrated and future-proof implementation of plans for the BRBDP. The President said the master plan and feasibility study for the project were finished in July and now include adaptive measures for climate change. The BRBDP was initiated by Marcos' father and namesake, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., to focus on geography-based development in the Bicol Region.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed all government agencies to remain on high alert as the country braces for Typhoon Marce.
Marcos also reiterated the need to ensure that relevant information reaches communities promptly and that on-the-ground situations are reported accurately.
"To all the government agencies, you all know the drill. I am placing you all on high alert. Let's start having an efficient system of communication for the speedy dissemination of information to the public," he said.
He also tasked units at all levels of government, including those that can reinforce rescue and relief operations, to prepare their equipment and vehicles. Authorities were also told to monitor water levels in waterways and reservoirs, a follow-up to his earlier order to the Department of Science and Technology to improve their warning systems and establish a standard procedure for the gradual release of water from dams before typhoons make landfall to reduce flood risks.
"Prepare all rescue equipment at all levels of government, from all agencies who can lend them, especially vehicles," he said.
All relief goods stored in warehouses must also be easily accessible for their fast delivery and pre-positioning in areas in the path of the typhoon, he said.
The President likewise ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to stand by for road-clearing operations.
Typhoon Marce was almost stationary over the waters east of northern Cagayan while packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph, the state-run weather agency said on Wednesday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Marce's eye was at 295 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
Pagasa said Signal No. 3 was up over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 was raised over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, including the Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga, the northern portion of Abra, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.
Signal No. 1 was up over the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northwestern portion of Pangasinan, the rest of Abra, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the northern portion of Aurora, the weather bureau said.
Also on Wednesday, the President distributed P50 million worth of financial assistance to farmers and fishers affected by the recent onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in Camarines Sur.
Some 5,000 beneficiaries from 15 municipalities received P10,000 each through the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families program.
In his speech at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, the President expressed hope that the assistance would help the beneficiaries in their recovery from the effects of the storm.
Of the 5,000 beneficiaries, 600 each are from the municipalities of Minalabac and Nabua; 500 each from Milaor and Bula; 450 from San Fernando; 400 each from Gainza and Baao; 350 from Canaman; 250 each from Libmanan and Camaligan; and 200 each from Calabanga and Pili.
Financial aid will also be extended to 100 residents each from the municipalities of Pamplona, Bombon, and Magarao.
Marcos assured the public that the government was working hard to restore normalcy to the areas ravaged by Kristine.
The President said the government would continue pouring aid to typhoon victims in Bicol.
"It will not just be the aid being given by the Department of Agriculture. Funds will also come from the Office of the President to help those affected by the typhoon," he said.
Meanwhile, the President said work on the Bicol River Basin Development Project (BRBDP) would start in the first quarter of 2025.
Marcos said he had directed the DPWH and other concerned to collaborate with the local government units to ensure an integrated and future-proof implementation of plans for the BRBDP.
The President said the master plan and feasibility study for the project were finished in July and now include adaptive measures for climate change.
The BRBDP was initiated by Marcos' father and namesake, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., to focus on geography-based development in the Bicol Region.
