PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed regret over the government's response to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, admitting that it was "never enough" to fully address the devastation caused by the disaster.

In an ambush interview, the president conveyed his frustration, saying he wished “they could do more.”

He added that losing a life is a “terrible tragedy”.

The president also addressed concerns regarding the country’s flood control systems, which many have criticized for their inability to prevent the widespread flooding triggered by the storm.

Marcos acknowledged that while flood control infrastructure was in place, it was simply “overwhelmed”

by the intensity of the rains and floods.

He described the existing flood control infrastructure as “not enough.”

“Nandiyan ang mga flood control, na-overwhelmed lang (The flood control are there, they were just overwhelmed),” Marcos told reporters per an Inquirer report.

He added that the amount of rainfall during the onslaught of storm Kristine was twice the amount during typhoon Ondoy.

In response to calls for an investigation into flood control projects, Marcos indicated that he had no objections to such inquiries, agreeing that both sides of the issue should be considered.

As of November 2, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that the death toll from Storm Kristine had risen to 146, with 20 deaths validated.

Region 5, the hardest-hit area, accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 15 confirmed deaths.(CMM)

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• #Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• #Severe tropical storm Kristine
• #Philippines
• #Calamity
• #Flooding
• #Fatalities
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