By Brian Campued
As Severe Tropical Storm Opong continues to approach the Eastern Visayas – Southern Luzon area, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed concerned government agencies to bolster coordination and preparations for the expected onslaught of the tropical cyclone over the weekend.
During a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Wednesday, the President emphasized that all assets must be prepositioned and ready for deployment, especially in areas that may be affected by Opong.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Opong is expected to intensify into a typhoon before passing close to Northern Samar or making landfall over the Bicol Region by Friday, Sept. 26.
Opong will also bring heavy rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and parts of Cagayan Valley and the rest of Visayas by Friday.
Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Department of National Defense (DND) and other agencies have sufficient Quick Response Funds (QRFs) to bring immediate aid to those who will be affected by Opong.
“Here in DND, our role is to provide logistics and goods. Fortunately, naka-preposition na ang goods nang maaga, so ngayon wala pang needs na kailangang i-refill. We’re here to coordinate with other agencies for replenishment ng naubos na ready-to-eat food packs, gamot, at iba pang kailangan,” Teodoro said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured that 2.5 million family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned nationwide and are ready for immediate distribution to areas in need.
According to the 6:00 a.m. report of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) this Thursday, the agency has over P3.1 billion worth of standby funds and stockpile in the central office and across its field offices.
The Department of Health (DOH) has also raised its alert status to “code white” to ensure that medicines are prepositioned and medical equipment as well as Health Emergency Response Teams are ready for deployment in calamity-hit areas.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), meanwhile, called on all local government units within affected areas to activate “Operation L!STO” protocols, ensure preemptive evacuation of at-risk communities, and secure evacuation centers with adequate food, water, and medical supplies.
The DILG also reminded Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees to intensify ground monitoring and coordinate with local police, fire, and rescue units.
Sustain relief, rehab efforts in ‘Nando’-hit communities
The Chief Executive likewise ordered government agencies to continue relief and rehabilitation efforts in Northern Luzon, recently battered by Super Typhoon Nando.
Marcos also stressed the need to immediately restore electricity in parts of Ilocos Region that are still without power.
Teodoro told the President that the DND is focused on ensuring logistics support, replenishment of stocks, accessibility of roads, as well as rebuilding damaged homes in Kalayaan Island, Batanes, and Ilocos.
He also said that damage and loss assessments are ongoing to account for missing persons and determine the extent and effects of the landslides.
According to NDRRMC’s situational report as of 6:00 a.m. today, the death toll from the recent tropical cyclones Mirasol and Nando as well as the habagat rose to 13—three of which are already validated and came from the CAR, while 10 are still under verification.
A total of 17 individuals were injured, with 10 already validated, while two are missing.
The DSWD said it has distributed a total of 21,912 boxes of FFPs to families affected by recent calamities in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
-jpv
