President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized his administration’s commitment to bolstering disaster risk reduction and response efforts to protect lives amid the intensifying effects of climate change. Speaking during a National Day of Mourning for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in Talisay, Batangas, he distributed aid to storm-affected residents.
Marcos directed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to improve its warning systems, ensuring communities receive timely alerts. He also instructed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strengthen communication with local governments to enhance preparedness through programs like Operation Listo, which aims to improve disaster readiness and response.
The President ordered various agencies, including the National Irrigation Administration and the Department of Energy, to manage dam water levels before storms to reduce downstream flooding. Additionally, he tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme weather, ensuring road and bridge protection is climate-adapted. The Department of Trade and Industry was urged to monitor the quality of materials used in these projects.
The Office of the President provided P10 million to five affected Batangas towns and distributed P10,000 in cash aid to farmers and fishermen. Housing materials were also supplied to over 500 families whose homes were damaged. A memorial mass for the storm victims was held in Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay, where Marcos joined residents in remembrance.
