President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged local government units (LGUs) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to have closer coordination and have more joint projects for the easier facilitation of government aid in times of disasters and calamities.
“I think that is something that we can improve on, the coordination between the LGUs and BARMM. And then the procedures. I know that you are just drawing up your procedures now. But you can see why this is important,” the Chief Executive said during the situation briefing with BARMM officials and several key members of the Cabinet in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Marcos said joint efforts between the LGUs and BARMM are vital to ensure better response coordination in times of emergency to address the needs of those affected by the calamity while at the same time reducing the impacts of disasters.
“That is why I always press you about so that in times like this, you already know what to do. You know the coordination with the LGU,” he explained.
“I noticed that the BARMM and LGU, you have no joint operation. You have to have joint operations to maximize your assets. There is only so much [you can do]; focus is needed. The different areas, of course, there are places with more residents in the BARMM; there are also places with more people in the LGU. So, join your forces for us to maximize that. We need that coordination,” he added.
He also reminded all frontline government agencies and local officials not to be too strict in following the bureaucracy when it comes to giving aid to affected citizens during disasters, as there is a fine line between life and death in the middle of a crisis.
“Let’s not mind too much the bureaucracy; let’s send the relief. You know the people are fighting for their lives. This is life and death for them. So, let’s not wait. Let’s just go to them as long as we can give something,” the President said. “We have to make our SOPs (standard operating procedures) more efficient… The point of all these relief goods, to get as much relief goods, to give as much relief goods. There is no such thing as too much relief goods. Whatever we have, we give them away immediately. That is something we can improve on, the coordination between the LGUs and BARMM.”
Prior to the briefing, Marcos conducted an aerial inspection to assess the damage left by Typhoon “Paeng” over the weekend in the province of Maguindanao.
