THE government will intensify its efforts to remove vulnerable populations in harm’s way whenever there are incoming typhoons to avoid a repeat of the devastation of Typhoon Pablo in Mindanao, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday.
During the change of command ceremonies at the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday, the President asked the support of Coast Guard personnel in carrying out the government preparations to mitigate the impact of weather disturbances to the general population.
Preemptive measures should be in place whenever there are incoming typhoons to avoid lost of lives and tremendous damage to properties, he said during his speech. This is the duty of the PCG and every government personnel, and they will be successful in assisting their fellow Filipinos as long as they have the will to lend a helping hand, the President said.
The President said he was appalled by the devastation in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, and Boston, Davao Oriental, during his visit there last week.
The President led the change of command of the PCG Friday challenging the new commandant to continue the good works of his predecessor.
Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena assumed office on Friday as the new commandant of the PCG replacing Vice Admiral Edmund Tan. (PND)