MANILA — The Philippines can seek help from Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) should Typhoon Ompong cause significant damage to parts of the country.
“In the event that the capacity of the government is overwhelmed, we can also seek international assistance, first under the One ASEAN, One Response wherein the President was a co-signatory,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad said during Thursday’s command ceremony presided over by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Jalad said the One ASEAN, One Response accord refers to the close cooperation among members to help Southeast Asian nations hit by calamities.
He said the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance has already expressed its intention to provide help in case the country asks for aid.
“ASEAN member countries will come to the aid of the Philippines and in fact the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance already expressed intention to help us in the event that we will ask for assistance,” the NDRRMC chief added.
Meanwhile, Jalad said 1,742 evacuation centers have been readied to help people who might be displaced by “Ompong”, while another 3,079 primary schools are available within the typhoon’s path. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
