By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured on Monday that the government is prepared and closely monitoring the situation on the ground as Tropical Storm Enteng (international name Yagi) drenches much of Luzon and parts of Visayas.
In a media interview in Malacañang, Marcos said the government already has a template that agencies and local government units (LGUs) are following to respond to the needs of the people, adding that necessities and equipment have been deployed in advance.
“We’re prepared for the aftermath of all of this, and as usual, nag-forward placement na tayo ng mga pangangailangan, we will just have to wait for the weather to see what it will do,” Marcos told Palace reporters.
“Hopefully, umiwas sa atin, but even if it does not, we have all the elements in place to support our people na mahihirapan dahil dito sa naging Bagyong Enteng,” he added.
As for the announcement of class and work suspension, the President vowed to issue advisories “as early as possible.”
“Ang instruction ko sa kanila, kung maaari bago tayo matulog alam na natin kung may pasok bukas o hindi. Para makapag-adjust naman ‘yung mga tao,” he said.
Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels in Metro Manila on Monday due to inclement weather caused by Enteng.
Two persons have been reported dead while 10 others were injured due to Tropical Storm Enteng and the southwest monsoon (habagat), according to the latest update of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Enteng, the fifth tropical cyclone in the country this year, was last seen 115 km northeast of Infanta, Quezon, or 85 km east southeast of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
The weather bureau hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over northern portion of Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the eastern portion of Kalinga, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, northern portion of Aurora, Polillo Islands, and northern portion of Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, Batanes, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the eastern portion of Pangasinan, Abra, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, the eastern portion of Pampanga, the eastern portion of Bulacan, Metro Manila, the rest of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, the eastern portion of Batangas, Marinduque, the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Albay were placed under TCWS No. 1.
DHSUD regional offices on standby
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Sec. Jose Rizalino Acuzar has directed Undersecretary for Disaster Response and for Administrative and Finance Services Randy Escolango to put its regional offices (ROs) on standby for possible emergency response.
“Dapat lagi tayong pro-active at nakahanda ang ating mga Regional Offices na tumulong ng agaran sa mga apektado nating kababayan,” Acuzar said in a news release.
Escolango already issued a memorandum on Sunday directing the ROs in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 4B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Luzon), 8 (Eastern Visayas), Cordillera Administrative Region, and National Capital Region to be on alert.
“All concerned Regional Directors are enjoined to coordinate with the respective Shelter Cluster members within the regional convene using all available means,” Escolango said.
To ensure timely and proper actions, the regional directors were directed to submit daily situational reports.
