President Rodrigo Duterte at the wake of Typhoon Ulysses’ destruction on Thursday, led an aerial inspection over Metro Manila and nearby areas severely damaged by heavy rains and strong winds brought by the typhoon.
Thousands of homes were submerged in floodwaters, as seen in photos shared by Sen. Bong Go who joined the inspection.
Duterte in his address assured Filipinos that the government was “on top of the situation,” following flak from his noticeable absence during the calamity. The hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo trended as netizens criticized the Duterte’s administration absence of a comprehensive plan to address the situation.
Nearly 3 million households in and around Manila were without power as people waded through waist-high floods, carrying valuables and pets.
Coast guard rescuers had to swim in flood waters as high as electricity poles, while rescue workers used rubber boats and makeshift floats to carry children and the elderly to safety.
