Interior Secretary Ronnie Puno released a series of directives to Department of the Interior and Local Government and police officials on speeding up the rescue and relief operations for the victims of typhoon “Ondoy” before his scheduled trip abroad. He said that he filed a two-week leave of absence to be able to accompany his wife for a major surgery abroad.
“Upon my recommendation, President Arroyo has designated Undersecretary for Peace and Order Melchor Rosales as acting DILG Secretary during my absence,” Puno said.
Before he will leave, Puno instructed Rosales to implement measure to speed up the relief operations to areas that a are badly hit by typhoon “Ondoy.”
“I have also ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Police-Community Relations Leopoldo Bataoil to coordinate closely with the National Disaster and Coordinating Council (NDCC) in order to further expedite efforts in assisting our distressed countrymen,” Puno said.
“At the same time, I have also left instructions to Chief Supt. Leocadio Santiago, who heads the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) to mobilize its manpower and resources so that we can speed up rescue operations for typhoon victims in areas where these are still necessary such as Cainta, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City and Antipolo,” Puno said.
Puno added that he has delegated these officials to give him updates on the status of the operations in helping the typhoon victims.
