Palace assures flood-hit North Luzon residents of assistance

Malacañang on Saturday reassured residents in Northern Luzon hit by flash floods and landslides of assistance from the national and local government. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte also reminded local government units in affected areas to remain alert and do all they can to mitigate the effects of the floods. “Ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, nariyan ang tauhan nila to see what can be done and help mitigate effects of the floods. Ang tao natin on the ground, rendering assistance sa nangangailangan," she said on government-run dzRB radio. (The NDRRMC’s personnel are there to see what can be done to help mitigate the effects of the floods. Our personnel are rendering assistance to those affected.) Flash floods and landslides caused by days of continuous rains swamped several areas in Northern and Central Luzon, killing at least 11 people as of Saturday morning. Valte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development already prepositioned standby funds and food and non-food items for the affected residents. NDRRMC records showed that the DSWD had P15.4 million worth of standby funds in concerned field offices. On the other hand, Valte reminded governors and local officials to remain alert for further developments in their respective territories. - TJD, GMANews.TV