President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised government agencies for saving lives during the peak of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) by implementing preemptive evacuations in communities along its path.
‘I want to thank our local governments, first responders, and volunteers for acting quickly and working together to keep our people safe,’ Marcos said in a statement as he presided over a post-Uwan briefing in Malacañang.
‘The preemptive evacuations you carried out made all the difference. Your swift action made a tremendous impact,’ he added.
As of Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported at least 25 deaths from Typhoon Uwan, which affected nearly the entire country and displaced about 2.4 million people.
In the densely populated National Capital Region, home to around 15 million, no casualties were reported. This contrasts sharply with Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), which claimed 232 lives and devastated eight regions in the Visayas, southern Luzon, and northern Mindanao just days before Uwan. It was the deadliest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, with 112 still reported missing.
In a press briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos was satisfied with the preparations and disaster response of the national and local governments with Uwan. ‘The preparedness shown by our agencies, which resulted in saving people from danger is something the President recognizes. As we reported yesterday, 426,000 families were immediately evacuated and spared from harm – that is a significant achievement,’ Castro said.
‘We cannot completely prevent casualties during calamities, but thanks to the preemptive measures carried out by our agencies, under the directive of President Marcos, more lives have been saved this time,’ she added.
A total of 1.4 million people, or 426,000 families, were preemptively evacuated across the NCR, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Negros Island Region, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
More than 800,000 people remain in evacuation centers.
Uwan exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Although it is expected to re-enter PAR on Wednesday evening, it is no longer considered a threat to most parts of the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration warned, however, that Uwan’s wide reach could bring strong winds to extreme northern Luzon upon its return. President Marcos also ordered the full mobilization of government resources to provide immediate assistance and conduct relief operations in areas severely affected by Typhoons Uwan and Tino.
He directed agency heads to personally oversee relief and recovery efforts, ensuring the needs of affected residents are met.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian flew to Catanduanes to lead aid distribution for families impacted by Uwan, while Health Secretary Ted Herbosa traveled to Leyte to supervise relief and medical operations in the municipalities of Silago, Hinunangan, St. Bernard, Sogod, and Bontoc.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara also visited Negros Occidental to meet with regional officials and assess the condition of school facilities.
Marcos also directed Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco to assess the impact of the typhoons on local tourism, especially in Cebu province, one of the top destinations in the country.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has been monitoring areas along the path of the two typhoons to ensure the stability of power supply in affected provinces.
Road repairs
The president also ordered Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to conduct 24/7 clean-up and repair works of damaged roads.
According to Castro, 26 national roads have already been reopened and are now passable to motorists, adding that even transport operations are back to normal.
Citing data from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Castro said nearly 40 national road sections became impassable due to flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and toppled electricity posts. Clearing operations were ongoing in 13 road sections in the Cordillera Administrative Region; 10 in Cagayan Valley, eight in Bicol, and one each in NCR, Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Soccsksargen.