MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is on “blue” alert in preparation for the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in Metro Manila.
Some 700 personnel from its various offices, such as the Road Emergency Group, Public Safety Division, Flood Control and Sewerage and Management Unit, Rescue Battalion, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Traffic Engineering Center, are on standby for possible deployment.
With the raising of the blue alert status by the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC), MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim mobilized disaster responders and personnel.
“The raising of blue alert aims to ensure the continuous monitoring of the possible effects of the current weather system and ensure prompt coordination with concerned agencies and offices,” Lim, who is the concurrent MMDRRMC chairperson, said in a statement Friday.
The MMDA urged Metro Manila’s local government units to implement disaster preparedness measures to ensure public safety during the typhoon.
The agency is also deploying rescue vans, emergency boats, military trucks, ambulances, rubber boats, fire trucks, man lifts, and equipment, such as life vests, chain saws, and mobile pumps, if the need arises.
Emergency stations were set up in parts of the metropolis – along EDSA-Roxas Blvd., EDSA-Ortigas, EDSA-Orense, EDSA-Timog, C5-Libis, Commonwealth-Tandang Sora, and Nagtahan.
Monitoring of operations and warning systems will be conducted at the MMDA Metrobase Center.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1 over Metro Manila.
“Ompong” is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon as it moves closer to the northern Luzon region. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
