AFP calls for close coordination among agencies to boost Ulysses response efforts

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday called for closer coordination among concerned government agencies to ramp up the government's response efforts amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo admitted that although they have been taking note and trying to respond to calls for rescue, they cannot do it all by themselves.

"Ang pangunahing hamon sa amin ngayon ay sa dami ng mga tawag sa specific na lugar na binabanggit sa amin, hindi namin kaya talagang daluhan kaagad nang sabay-sabay. So ang ginagawa natin, 'yung ating mga deployment, mga military trucks, mga rubber boats, mga disaster response team natin at ang iba-iba pa nating kagamitan ay ating idineploy," he said.

"Ang kailangan dito ay centralized coordination sapagkat hindi na natin puwedeng tulungan individually," he added.

Arevalo said that once rescue personnel and equipment have been deployed, the instruction for them was to coordinate with the local disaster risk reduction and management offices as well as with local authorities in the area.

"Given the limited assets ng Coast Guard, ng AFP, NDRRMC and local government units, sila ang mas makakapag-channel nang mas higit na malinaw kung saan kailangan ng responde," he said.

The heavy rainfall brought about by Typhoon Ulysses caused massive flooding in many areas in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces.

Arevalo said they are monitoring the weather condition to see if air assets such as helicopters can already be deployed.

"We're dealing with that sa ating mga kagawad ng Philippine Air Force. They are in a better position to assess that. At 'yan naman ay kasama na lagi sa ating mga pagpaplano," he said.

"But then whether condition is always an issue lalong-lalo na kung air assets natin ang pag-uusapan. But don't worry, alam natin ang malaking pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan," he added.

For now, Arevalo said local government units can assist them in reaching areas where residents need to be rescued.

"Sa tulong ng mga local government units, puwede nila kaming i-direct doon sa mga specific area na mas higit na kailangan ng aming tulong," he said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday gave the assurance it is responding to calls for rescue amid floods brought about by Typhoon Ulysses.

"Marami pong tumatawag. Our rescue teams have been deployed. Naiintindihan po namin ang inyong sitwasyon. Konting antay lang po. Eto po, minamadali namin," NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said.

According to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 was raised over the western portion of Pangasinan (Bayambang, Bautista, Alcala, Santo Tomas, Malasiqui, Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Basista, San Carlos City, Calasiao, Binmaley, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem, Aguilar, Bugallon, Lingayen, Labrador, Infanta, Mabini, Sual, Dasol, Burgos, Alaminos City, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, Anda), Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga due to Typhoon Ulysses.

Ulysses was located over the West Philippine Sea at 11 a.m..

PAGASA still warned of heavy to intense with at times torrential rains that can be expected over Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac until Thursday afternoon. --KG, GMA News