Roque: Palace closely monitoring Rolly, concerned agencies on ready

Malacañang on Saturday said the government is preparing to respond for the possible onslaught of Typhoon Rolly, which is said to be the world’s strongest typhoon in 2020.

“Concerned disaster agencies of the government are now on standby 24/7,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Likewise, Roque said the Palace is closely monitoring the movement of typhoon Rolly “which is forecast to pass the Bicol Region tomorrow morning, as of the Severe Weather Bulletin #7 of PAGASA.”

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said Rolly is feared to cause extensive damage along its forecast track. 

“The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center is already on Red Alert Status and is in close coordination with all regional disaster risk reduction and management councils and local government units that are in the track of the Typhoon,” Roque said.

“They have been conducting Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to ensure that all local government units and communities are prepared for the possible impacts of the typhoon to landslide-, flood-, storm surge- and lahar flow- prone areas,” he said.

Jalad said evacuation centers are also being prepared in areas where the eye of the typhoon might pass.

The NDRRMC chief reminded the public to continue observing the Department of Health protocols on COVID-19 in evacuation centers.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the one hand, has stockpiles and standby funds amounting to more than P879-M, as of 6 p.m. on October 30, for ready resource augmentation to local government units,” according to Roque.

“We ask the public, especially the residents of potential areas that will be affected by the typhoon, to stay calm yet vigilant, check the latest government weather advisory, listen to the radio or watch television for more information, secure their house and vehicle, and keep their family members and loved ones safe,” Roque said. —LBG, GMA News