PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. does not want local officials taking a “chill” approach to their duties, especially during natural calamities, Malacañang said Tuesday.
“First of all, the President does not want a leadership that is ‘chill.’ Work should be done for the citizens because they depend on the government, especially in situations like this. We cannot say ‘just chill’ all the time—work must come first, not vacation,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Castro made the remarks in light of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) investigation into local chief executives who left the country despite a directive warning them of the imminent threat of Typhoon Uwan, previously classified as a super typhoon.
The Palace press officer was also alluding to remarks by Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano when asked about the super typhoon that was about to hit Isabela. Albano said PAGASA sometimes exaggerates forecasts, causing unnecessary panic.
“PAGASA is always like that. Sometimes it causes anxiety to build up. It can make people nervous,” Albano said. “For me, just chill. There is nothing we can do about it. Only God can stop the typhoon” he said.
Castro, however, disputed this approach, stressing that local officials must act responsibly and not take an easy or casual approach during imminent disasters.
Malacanang said it is leaving it to the DILG to determine whether any local executives violated Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s directive ordering all elective and appointive officials to cancel foreign travel from November 9 to 15.
