President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized the areas in Maguindanao where the mountains suffered from deforestation, which caused flooding and landslides.
In a situation briefing with local executives in Maguindanao, Marcos discussed his observations on the aerial inspection conducted on the damages in the province.
“Noong nasa helicopter kami ni [Maguindanao Governor] Bai Mariam, na-notice ko lahat ng gumuho kalbo ang bundok. Iyan ang problema. And I was pointing out to the Governor, sabi ko sa kanya: Tingnan mo ‘yung may kahoy hindi gumalaw ‘yung lupa, lahat nung sugat na makita mo sa bundok dahil kalbo,” said Marcos.
According to Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, the landslides happened in Barangay Kusiong in Datu Odin Sinsuat; Barangay Romonggaob, and Looy in South Upi; Barangays Maagabo Bayanga Sur, Upper Bayanga Sur Norte, and Kabugaw Sapad ng Matanog.
Following the incident, Marcos instructed government offices to include tree-planting activities in flood control projects.
“Kaya kailangan nating isama ang tree planting sa ating flood control. Dapat kasama ‘yan. Kung gagastos tayo sa flood control, kailangan may tree planting,” said Marcos.
Marcos Jr. wants tree planting included in flood control
“So that’s one thing that we need to do. But that one alam na natin ‘yun, we have been hearing this over and over again, pero patuloy pa rin tayong nagpuputol ng kahoy, ‘yan ang nangyayaring nagkaka-landslide ng ganyan,” the President added.
Meanwhile, Marcos ensured the drafting of a standard operating procedure (SOP) to include medicines in relief packages during calamities and emergencies.
According to the President, a few days after a disaster, affected individuals look for over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol and anti-diarrhea.
“That’s one aspect of it na hindi masyadong naaatensyunan. Paano tayo makapag-provide ng gamot? Like (what) the Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam is saying. Simple lang naman. Kasi nakabilad sila (apektadong residente)… basa sila nang matagal, nilalagnat ‘yung mga bata,” said Marcos.
Marcos also emphasized the importance of providing maintenance drugs during calamities.
“Pero ‘yung matatanda, ‘yung mga may maintenance, delikado talaga sila pagka mga one week na hindi sila naggagamot, it starts to really affect them,” said Marcos.