MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday assured the public that the government has enough funds and relief goods for areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng. 

Marcos said the government has already distributed P16 million worth of aid through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, with over P65 million worth of funds on standby.

“Nakapaghatid na tayo ng higit PhP16 milyong halaga ng tulong mula sa DSWD para masuportahan ang mga pinakanangangailangan. Nakahanda ang PhP65.56 milyon na standby funds, at P2.60 bilyong halaga ng food and non-food items," he said.

Marcos also said over 63,000 individuals were safely brought to 452 evacuation centers.

He likewise said the government has alloted P480.61 million worth of health logistics in different regions to provide medical assistance to affected populations.

“Tinatawagan ko ang ating mga LGU na agad na tugunan ang waste management issue na maiiwan ng bagyo. Ang ating mga katuwang sa DPWH ay nasa ating mga komunidad para umpisahan na ang clearing operations ng mga apektadong national roads,” Marcos also said.

DSWD earlier said it has prepositioned 1.7 million food packs even before the storm hit the country, of which 130,000 are being distributed in affected areas.

Floods now subsiding, but relief operations continue post-Enteng — DSWD

Landslides and extreme flooding caused by Enteng have reportedly killed at least 12 people, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Tuesday morning.

The OCD is the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which releases official casualty counts on disasters.

OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas told ANC that the majority of the deaths were due to drowning. He said that the latest fatality count was still undergoing verification and could still change. 

Civil Defense: 12 reported dead due to Enteng