Puno Fires Off Directives on Rescue Relief Efforts for Ondoy Victims

September 28, 2009

Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government  yesterday fired off a series of directives to DILG and police officials on expediting rescue and relief efforts for victims of typhoon “Ondoy” before leaving for a short trip abroad.

Puno said, he had filed a two-week leave of absence to accompany his wife who will be undergoing major surgery abroad.

“Upon my recommendation, President Arroyo has designated Undersecretary for Peace and Order Melchor Rosales as acting DILG Secretary during my absence,” Puno said.
 
Prior to his leaving, Puno instructed Rosales to implement measures to speed up relief operations in areas devastated by typhoon ‘Ondoy.”
 
“I have also ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Police-Community Relations  Leopoldo Bataoil to coordinate closely with the National Disaster and Coordinating Council (NDCC) in order to further expedite efforts in assisting our distressed countrymen,” Puno said.
 
“At the same time, I have also left instructions to Chief Supt. Leocadio Santiago, who heads the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) to  mobilize its manpower and resources so that we can speed up rescue operations for typhoon victims in  areas where these are still necessary such as Cainta, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City and Antipolo,” Puno said.
 
Puno said he has tasked these officials to provide him regular updates on the status of their operations to help victims of typhoon “Ondoy.”