Marcos Administration Suspends Sona Preparations to Focus on Flood Relief Efforts

Strategic Insights -

As the southwest monsoon continues to affect millions of Filipinos, President Ferdinand Marcos' administration has suspended preparations for the fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) to focus on helping affected communities. Amid reports of government agencies posting Sona-related materials while many parts of Luzon were submerged in floodwaters, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin issued a strongly worded statement directing concerned government agencies to put full attention and exclusive focus on flood response and relief operations. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 6 persons were killed, five injured, while seven others remain missing, with a total of 362,464 families or approximately 12.6 million Filipinos, about 10 percent of the Philippine population, affected by massive floods.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marcos administration has suspended preparations for the fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) to focus on helping affected communities.
  • Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin issued a strongly worded statement directing government agencies to put full attention and exclusive focus on flood response and relief operations.
  • The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 6 persons were killed, five injured, while seven others remain missing.
  • A total of 362,464 families or approximately 12.6 million Filipinos, about 10 percent of the Philippine population, were affected by massive floods.
  • The NDRRMC received reports that a total of 441 areas were flooded, with 1,501 houses damaged, costing P27 million.
  • The estimated damage to infrastructure rose to P413 million, while estimated damage to agriculture was pegged at P54 million in some 2,500 hectares of crops with 2,344 farmers affected.
  • A total of 82,000 people have been displaced, with over half forced to stay in different evacuation centers.
  • President Marcos called on the public to follow government advisories to keep themselves safe during the calamity.
  • The Marcos administration has approved the recommendation of the concerned government agencies to suspend government work and classes in Metro Manila and other provinces on Tuesday owing to the flooding and landslides caused by the southwest monsoon.
  • The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earmarked at least P360 million in assistance under the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap) for immediate distribution to 36 congressional districts heavily affected by Typhoon Crising and the intensified southwest monsoon.
  • Each district will receive P10 million in direct financial aid to support residents affected by flooding, displacement, and other calamity-related emergencies.
  • Family food packs and Tingog hot meals have been prepared for evacuees currently sheltered in schools, covered courts, and other temporary evacuation centers.
  • The House of Representatives has reactivated their Relief Coordination Desk, a mechanism first used during the pandemic and in response to previous typhoons.
  • The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned three million family food packs (FFPs) in over 1,000 warehouses nationwide.

Statistics:

  • 6 persons were killed, five injured, while seven others remain missing.
  • A total of 362,464 families or approximately 12.6 million Filipinos, about 10 percent of the Philippine population, were affected by massive floods.
  • 441 areas were flooded, with 1,501 houses damaged, costing P27 million.
  • The estimated damage to infrastructure rose to P413 million.
  • The estimated damage to agriculture was pegged at P54 million in some 2,500 hectares of crops with 2,344 farmers affected.
  • A total of 82,000 people have been displaced.
  • The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earmarked at least P360 million in assistance under the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap).
  • Each district will receive P10 million in direct financial aid to support residents affected by flooding, displacement, and other calamity-related emergencies.
  • The DSWD has prepositioned three million family food packs (FFPs) in over 1,000 warehouses nationwide.

Sources:

  • July 22 Situational Report on the combined effects of Crising and southwest monsoon by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
  • Statement by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin amid reports of government agencies posting Sona-related materials
  • Video message by President Ferdinand Marcos calling on the public to follow government advisories to keep themselves safe during the calamity
  • Press release by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the allocation of P360 million in assistance under the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap)
  • Report by the House of Representatives on the reactivation of their Relief Coordination Desk