Iloilo City (3 July) -- "The government needs all hands on deck, it needs all the help it can get," Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said when asked by national and local media here in relation to the relief efforts being conducted by the government in the aftermath of typhoon Frank.

"The efforts of the government should not be viewed as a political prism but rather as an earnest effort to address the need of the victims," Dureza said.

Dureza revealed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who flew in from Davao to Iloilo City, rallied for assistance in Davao as it is a little more blessed and was spared by typhoon Frank.

President Arroyo instructed the Department of Transportation and Communication to use even the presidential yacht – Ang Pangulo, to be used as a moving logistics hut and private cargo carriers to fly the goods to reach the different affected areas affected by the typhoon. The instruction was made by the President after learning that relief goods are piled up in Villamor airbase due to the lack of means to transport them.

According to Dureza who attended the Joint Cabinet and NDCC meeting here, President Arroyo also instructed DOTC to take advantage of the RORO vessels plying the routes near affected areas.

In answer to the criticism hurled against the President leaving the country despite the damaged caused by typhoon Frank, Dureza explained that the President took command and control from where she is in the United States, managing well her role as President and as Commander in Chief.