PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered pertinent government agencies and local officials to ramp up relief efforts in areas affected by Tropical Storm Basyang, Malacañang said Thursday. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos issued the directive in his meeting last Wednesday with agency heads and governors from provinces severely affected by Basyang. The president also directed the early release of funds for disaster preparedness, simplification of aid distribution and the rapid delivery of seeds to farmers to restore agricultural activity after the storm, the PCO said. Marcos ordered the cascading of financial assistance programs to affected residents, as well as accelerated river clearing operations to reduce the risk of flooding. The meeting was attended by Governors Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte, Humerlito Dolor of Oriental Mindoro, Eduardo Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro, Ralph Evardone of Eastern Samar, Harris Ongchuan of Northern Samar, Carlos Petilla of Leyte, Patrick Azanza of Catanduanes and Acting Gov. Arnold Tan of Samar. Also present were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Basyang, which made landfall in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, on Feb. 5, left 12 dead and injured 36 others. More than 182,000 families from 1,285 villages were displaced. Surigao del Sur was placed under a state of calamity because of the devastation left by the typhoon.