(File photo)

MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to “closely monitor” parts of the country that continue to be affected by heavy rains and floods.

Pres. Marcos issued this directive following his visit to Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which were among the provinces affected by heavy rains and massive flooding since late last month.

“The President has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to closely monitor the situation in areas affected by heavy rainfall and flooding, and render assistance to the LGUs involved and their constituents,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a report by the Philippine News Agency.

Marcos visited both Tudela in Misamis Occidental province and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental to distribute aid and assess the extent of damage caused by rains and floods in Northern Mindanao.

Based on a press release from PCO, the plane carrying Marcos and other government officials made three landing attempts before touching down at the Ozamiz City airport due to bad weather.

“The President then proceeded to conduct a briefing with Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal at the airport instead of Oroquieta City as originally planned due to inclement weather,” Garafil said.

Garafil said the bad weather also prevented Marcos from doing an ocular inspection over Oroquieta City to see and assess the affected areas. (PIA-NCR)