By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed relevant government agencies to maintain vigilance and close monitoring of Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi), despite its weakening from super typhoon category after it entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said government agencies remain on full alert to ensure the country’s preparedness ahead of the possible impact of the typhoon.
“Patuloy ang pagbabantay ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa lagay ng panahon sa ilang bahagi ng bansa na nakakaranas ng epekto ng Bagyong Inday,” Castro said.
“Nagpapaala pa rin si Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa lahat ng ahensiya na huwag maging kampante at bantayan ang takbo ng [bagyo],” she added.
The Palace official then enumerated some of the key actions the government has taken to intensify its readiness to address and respond to the needs of the affected communities, highlighting the administration’s whole-of-government approach on disaster preparedness and response.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has requested leading mall chains in the National Capital Region to offer free overnight parking as part of precautionary measures for Typhoon Inday.
According to MMDA, the following malls have agreed to provide temporary parking spaces for vehicles:
- SM Supermalls
- Robinsons Malls
- Vista Malls
- Filinvest Malls
- Festival Mall (Alabang)
- Fora Mall (Tagaytay)
- Main Square (Bacoor)
- Westgate (Alabang)
- Bloc 10 (Alabang)
- South Station (Alabang)
All 73 MMDA pumping stations are also on standby to mitigate possible flooding as Typhoon Inday is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), which could bring heavy rains across western portions of the country.
The MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are likewise conducting clean-up operations of drainage systems and waterways, especially in Metro Manila.
The DPWH has also prepositioned heavy equipment, including trucks, backhoes, and chainsaws, particularly in Cagayan Valley, to ensure quick response to affected areas.
Castro noted that all of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) regional disaster response units have been activated to ensure monitoring of protected areas, forest lands, rivers, and coastal zones.
“Upang masiguro ang linya ng komunikasyon, ang DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology)… ay patuloy na nagbabantay sa mga telco facilities habang nakahanda na rin ang kanilang mga emergency communications equipment. Bukas din 24/7 ang command center ng DICT,” Castro said.
The Department of Health (DOH), for its part, earlier placed its regional offices on alert and declared “code white” to ensure the readiness of health facilities and emergency response teams.
Meanwhile, over 4 million family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned on the various warehouses of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)—2 million of which were placed on standby in Luzon for the typhoon.
“Ang DSWD… ay mayroon ding nakalaan na pondo na aabot sa mahigit P644 million upang magamit bilang paghahanda sa kalamidad,” Castro said.
-av
