Press Release
July 7, 2015

SEN. MARCOS LAUDS TIMELY RESPONSE OF LGUs
AND DISASTER TEAMS DURING TYPHOON EGAY

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today lauded local government units and disaster response teams for their efficient preparation that prevented casualties during the onslaught of typhoon Egay.

Likewise, Marcos thanked local and national disaster response teams for providing timely assistance to people needing help during the typhoon, as well as during the two earthquakes that hit Ilocos Norte on Sunday.

Marcos noted the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported no casualties from the two events.

"The quick, efficient and timely response of our LGUs and disaster response teams is a big factor in saving lives. Let us all thank and commend the national and local disaster response teams who have once again rendered selfless assistance and service to our citizens in this time of need," Marcos said.

As soon as roads going to Ilocos Norte were confirmed passable, Sen. Marcos rushed to his home province to assess the situation and help his sister, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, in providing aid to people affected by the typhoon. The senator has served as 3-term governor of the province.

A 5.0 magnitude quake struck near Batac City around 9 p.m. Sunday, followed by a 4.3 magnitude aftershock northwest of Marcos town, generating a tsunami scare in coastal barangays in Laoag City.

The quake struck as Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces were bracing for the strong winds and heavy rainfall from typhoon Egay.

Although no lives were lost to typhoon Egay, it affected 11,571 families or 48,307 people in Regions I, IV-B, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Reports from the NDRRMC said Egay caused flooding in Palawan, La Union, Palawan, Apayao, Mandaluyong City, Marikina City and Pasay City, incidents of landslides, and damaged 91 houses, 21 of which are in Ilocos Norte.

Marcos said that with expected stronger typhoons due to changing climate, it would be necessary to increase the capability of local government disaster response units to deal with challenges brought by natural calamities.

"Although we can never be fully prepared for everything that nature, in her fury, may throw at us, any additional funding support we can give for LGUs could help them improve their disaster response preparedness and would go a long way in saving lives in times of disasters," Marcos said.

Marcos, Chairman of Local Government Committee, has been advocating for an increase in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of local government units.

Likewise, he vowed to scrutinize the 2016 budget to determine if proper priority is given to initiatives supporting disaster preparedness and mitigation of effects of climate change.

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