Arroyo orders quick aid for flash flood victims in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered all concerned government agencies to give quick assistance to the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Sunday. "Hindi lang Mindanao, parang buong bansa yata na may ganitong mga sakuna. Alam mo naman ang Pangulo, kaagad tumutugon diyan and the agencies are immediately mobilized to assist," Dureza said in an interview by Radyo ng Bayan. [“This is a problem not only in Mindanao, but in other parts of the country. Our President immediately mobilized the agencies to assist."] He added that despite the flash floods and rains in parts of Mindanao the President was determined to proceed with her four-day visit in Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and Bukidnon on Monday. "Beginning January 5, the President will be doing different visits to look at projects and bring government especially central government closer to the people on the ground," Dureza said. President Arroyo would fly out Monday morning to the Pagadian City Airport where she would take a chopper to Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur to visit the San Jose Parish Church before flying to Bonifacio in Misamis Occidental to inspect the Salug Irrigation System. - GMANews.TV