Successive storms to complicate response, recovery efforts

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that while the government is prepared for Typhoon Nika's impact, successive storms could complicate response and recovery efforts.

"We have – we actually managed to prepare… We’ve done the usual standard procedure where we have sent, pre-positioned our equipment and our relief goods. And we will just have to see where the areas are that will be particularly hit," Marcos told reporters during the Seatrade Cruise Asia event at Okada Manila on Monday, Nov. 11.

Marcos added that the government faces a balancing act in responding to back-to-back powerful storms.

"Mag-isip isip tayo kasi kung aayusin natin tapos sisirain na naman ng susunod na bagyo, sayang lang ‘yung ating ginawa. So, kailangan natin magplano," said Marcos.

[Translation: We should think carefully because if we repair things only for the next storm to destroy them, our efforts would be wasted. So, we need to plan.]

"We don’t have a textbook to follow. We don’t have a template to follow. It is climate change, and it is the new reality that we are having to face," he added.

As the government assesses the damage left by Nika, it is also closely monitoring the approach of a potentially stronger storm.

"Let’s hope that it’s not as – that it stays this manageable. And let’s be conscious of the fact that there’s another one, another very significant weather system coming into the Philippines after that," he added.