MARCOS WELCOMES FOREIGN AID FOR TYPHOON-BATTERED PH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the assistance offered by the international community to help the Philippines respond to the massive flooding in the country amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine.

During a situation briefing in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo on Wednesday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told the President that the country was verified for three international medical teams for a planned deployment.

Herbosa said he plans to send the 30-man international medical team, complete with WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities for outpatient care, to Bicol, Northern and Central Luzon.

“Very good. Okay. That’s what we need. All right,” President Marcos said in response.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the country’s neighbors took notice of the disaster brought by “Kristine.”

“We are reaching out to Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia as the closest neighbors, sir, in addition to the partner nations,” Teodoro told the President during the briefing.

As to rescue and relief efforts, the President wanted the full use of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for the airlift operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has coordinated with their US counterpart to send in their aircraft using EDCA sites.

But as more offer for international assistance comes in, Teodoro pointed out the need to establish protocols before the actual deployment of military assets.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Teodoro provided OCD with guidance on the assistance offered by international agencies.