MANILA – After being criticized for his silence when Typhoon “Rolly” ravaged the country on Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte resurfaced the following day to assess the damage of the erstwhile super typhoon.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the country’s chief executive conducted an aerial inspection in Bicol and Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon), the areas that were severely affected by the typhoon.
Duterte also returned to Manila for a Cabinet meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who was with Duterte in Davao City, said the latter was working “24/7” and coordinating with Cabinet officials regarding the government’s response.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na nasa Mindanao ang Pangulo ay hindi siya nagtratrabaho,” Go said Monday. “24/7 po nagtratrabaho ang ating Pangulo. Hayaan na natin ang ibang bumabatikos.”
“Sinisigurado ng Pangulo na laging handa ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno para makapagbigay ng immediate assistance sa mga lugar na naapektuhan ng bagyo,” he added.
“Nasaan Ang Pangulo” hashtag made rounds online on Sunday following Duterte’s “absence” while Typhoon “Rolly” battered various parts of the country./PN
