President Rodrigo Duterte who’s usually stayed in Davao City during weekends decided to remain in Luzon this week to closely monitor the situation of the provinces affected by Typhoon Ompong.
As the weather typhoon signals have been lifted on Sunday morning, Duterte and his team quickly went to Cagayan Provincial Capitol in Tuguegarao City to discuss the preparations and operations relative to the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong with the head officials from different government agencies and local government units (LGUs).
But it seems that the President was so tired and sleepless during his arrival in Tuguegarao as he quickly asked for a quick lunch in the middle of the meeting, requesting for bread and coffee.
“Di pa kami kumain sa totoo lang.. maski pan o kape okay ako..” Duterte said.
It was seen during the meeting that Duterte was eating, a sign that the President couldn’t resist his hunger anymore.
Before the meeting, Duterte made an aerial inspection along the province together with Special Assistant to President Christopher “Bong” Go.
Duterte’s supporter praised the President for being hands-on in managing the disaster happened in Luzon.
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino reported that the government is now focusing on distributing relief goods and repairing the infrastructure destroyed by the Typhoon.
He also confirmed that there are around 24 confirmed casualties and 13 missing, mostly due to landslides.
Most of the casualties came from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
He also said that there are no casualties reported in Isabela and Quirino province.
Tolentino also urged the provinces affected to declare a state of calamity to trigger price freeze.
In response with Tolentino’s report, Duterte said that he might visit CAR tomorrow to check the situation there.
Some Cabinet members also reported to President Duterte and shared their experience during their stay in the provinces struck by the typhoon.
After the meeting, President Duterte went to Laoag Capitol in Ilocos Norte to conduct another meeting with the other government officials.
At least 270,000 people were affected by Ompong.