President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate mobilization of concerned government agencies and resources to ensure the swift recovery of families affected by Tropical Storm Basyang (international name Penha).

Marcos gave the directive when he convened select Cabinet members and governors from calamity-hit areas at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Marcos directed concerned national and local government offices to facilitate the “faster and more orderly relief and recovery efforts,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

“Nagbigay ang Pangulo ng direktiba na pasimplehin ang mga proseso at tiyaking mabilis na makarating ang tulong sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan (The President issued directive to simplify the processes and ensure that aid reaches families in need immediately),” the PCO said.

Marcos also emphasized the importance of early release of funds for pre-disaster preparedness, fast-tracking the processes for immediate aid distribution, and swifter distribution of seeds to farmers.

“Tinalakay rin ang paghahanda ng financial assistance at pagpapalakas ng river clearing operations upang mabawasan ang panganib ng muling pagbaha (Also discussed were the preparation of financial assistance and the strengthening of river clearing operations to reduce the risk of persistent flooding),” the PCO said.

The government has disbursed over PHP9.2 million for the distribution of assistance to around 1,297 affected families, according to a situation report released by the National Disaster Reduction and Management Council (NDRRM) on Wednesday.

A total of 182,352 families or 645,612 persons from 1,285 villages were displaced during Basyang’s onslaught.

Around 170 houses were totally damaged, while 1,203 others were partially damaged by the storm. (PNA)