“Iyan naman po talaga ang mandato nating mga lingkod-bayan: nakasalalay ang oras natin sa sitwasyon ng ating mga nasasakupan, at kung may problemang nagbabanta, kailangang handa tayong rumisponde sa frontline, at ilayo sa kapahamakan ang ating kapwa,” he said.

He then cited the measures that the government has been undertaking like the Project Noah of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that provides real-time data about the rising water level; the establishment of local disaster response units in affected municipalities by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and if necessary, pre-emptive evacuations at low-lying areas; the provision of P40 million worth of relief goods by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); the search and rescue vehicles and road-clearing operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP); the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) use of heavy equipment for the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges; and finally, the continuous precautions in keeping ships and other sea crafts safe by the Coast Guard.

President Aquino reminded the servant leaders present that nobody can predict how destructive the weather will be, but they can still do something to ease, if not to prevent, the damage it will cause.

LMP is an alliance of municipalities committed to deliver good governance through the dedicated leaders and professional national secretariat.”