President Arroyo has instructed all concerned agencies to ensure that all forms of assistance are provided to people affected by tropical cyclones “Jolina” and “Kiko,” which lashed the country earlier this week.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Saturday in a radio interview that Mrs. Arroyo has directed all concerned agencies to provide assistance to people in areas affected by the weather disturbances, particularly those in Central Luzon.

He said the Chief Executive has directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide all necessary measures to help affected families.

According to Remonde, the President has asked Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap how his department can help farmers in areas affected by the typhoons. Farmers in Occidental Mindoro were reportedly appealing for assistance, particularly additional seeds, after flashfloods destroyed their crops.

Remonde said the DSWD was directed by the President to provide relief and evacuation assistance. “In fact, air assets of the Air Force were also directed to provide assistance,” Remonde added, saying that there is a possibility that the Chief Executive will visit the typhoon-affected areas this week.

In a separate interview, DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said there are already more than 1,000 families evacuated and placed in 11 evacuation centers in Central Luzon.

She said there are 1,500 family food packs ready for distribution while financial assistance is also being given to typhoon victims. Rubber boats and Armed Forces trucks are now being used to reach isolated areas.

“Sa ngayon, sapat ang supply ng pagkain, pinagsasapat natin pero hindi perfectly 100 percent nabibigyan natin all the time all at once, pero ginagawa natin lahat ng kaya natin,” Cabral said.

Cabral appealed to the public to be prepared against natural disasters, especially during this typhoon season. “Bawat bahay, lalo na mga lugar na delikado ay dapat nagkakaroon ng paghahanda sa sarili nila… kailangan tulungan din natin ang sarili natin. Pag malakas ang ulan at bumabaha, lumikas na bago pa maanod ng tubig,” she said.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. meanwhile assured that the lahar flows from Mt. Pinatubo are not an indication that there is a possibility of eruption.

He said the lahar flows are due to the heavy rainfall in the area.“Kahit hindi active ang volcano, pwede magkaroon ng lahar,” Solidum said.