Duterte to inspect typhoon-hit areas in Bicol Region – Go

November 2, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit Bicol Region later today to inspect the damage brought by Super Typhoon "Rolly" in the area, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said on Monday.

In the "Laging Handa" press briefing, Go, a known close ally and still very visible beside the President despite being a senator already, however, refused to say if Duterte would just conduct an aerial inspection or he would personally land in any of the provinces badly hit by the typhoon.

"He will go to Legazpi and the province of Albay. The President wants to see immediately the extent of the damage brought by the typhoon," he said.

Asked if he would land or just conduct an aerial inspection, he said, "The President will still see the situation for security reason."

He immediately added that Duterte was working "24/7" and was almost awake all the time because he was working.

Go made the statement after #NasaanAngPangulo (Where is the President) trended on Sunday when Rolly whipped the country.

Duterte was never present in the meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on Sunday.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated during the televised NDRRMC meeting on Monday that the President has been monitoring the situation even if he is still in Davao City.

Go said the President did not want to disturb the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which is busy assisting those affected by the typhoon from its work, when he visits the Bicol Region.

After visiting the typhoon hardest-hit areas, the senator said Duterte will meet the members of his Cabinet, including the officials of NDRRMC, "to immediately start the recovery effort to restore back to normal" the lives of the people.

At least 10 people died due to the weather disturbance and billions of pesos worth of infrastructure and agriculture products were damaged. Celerina Monte/DMS