Marcos: One dead in Camarines Norte due to Pepito
Workers unload supplies at an evacuation center for those affected by Super Typhoon Pepito in San Vicente town, Camarines sur province on November 17, 2024. Pepito slammed into the Philippines' most populous island on November 17, with the national weather service warning of flooding, landslides and huge waves as the storm swept across the archipelago nation. Charism Sayat, AFP
At least one person has reportedly died due to the effects of Typhoon Pepito in Camarines Norte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.
"We have been monitoring Pepito all night. Unfortunately, I am sorry and saddened to report that we have one casualty in Camarines Norte. We know my feelings about that, that one casualty is a casualty too many, so that is unfortunate," Marcos told reporters in Malacañang.
Camarines Norte experienced heavy rains and strong winds as Typhoon Pepito battered the Philippines this weekend.
Pepito uprooted trees, brought down power lines, and smashed flimsy houses to pieces after making its first landfall late Saturday on lightly populated Catanduanes island in the typhoon-prone Bicol region.
With the worst of the typhoon over, Marcos said the government would continue relief and rescue efforts in areas hit by Pepito.
“We will now carry on with the rescue of those isolated areas, and continuing relief for those who have been displaced and have no means to prepare their meals and no water supplies. Yung ating relief na ating ginagawa,” he said.
“Rebuilding will also start as well.”
Marcos thanked responders and government workers who rendered service as typhoon Pepito lashed through the Philippines over the weekend.
“We have to thank all the responders, all the LGUs, all the workers, that this is their sixth time. I am sure that they are exhausted, I am sure that they have done, that they continue to do, to work as hard as they can," he said.
The Philippine leader also thanked Filipinos for heeding government bulletins, which he said minimized the effects of the typhoon.
"That's why I'm grateful to them and to the people. They help as much as possible and follow our bulletins about what needs to be done so somehow with the strength of Pepito, it was not as bad as feared, it wasn't as bad as we feared."
Marcos also called on Filipinos to think of those affected by recent typhoons during the upcoming holiday season and share some of their Christmas gifts to typhoon victims.
"I hope that when Christmas comes, we Filipinos will remember our compatriots who are suffering. Anyway, what we make for Christmas, let's distribute it to them, who are poor and poor," he said.
