OCD welcomes help from private companies on Ulysses rescue efforts

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is open to help from private companies in their rescue and relief operations for those affected by Typhoon Ulysses.

"If the companies have their assets na pwedeng maiambag nila sa ating kasalukuyang sitwasyon, kami ay magpapasalamat," said OCD deputy administrator for operations Assistant Secretary Casiano Monilla said in a press briefing.

"They have to check in with the local government emergency operations centers," he added.

Monilla said local government units have their own emergency operations centers (EOC) which manage disaster-related information used to decide which areas are prioritized for rescue operations.

"Kung gusto nila tumulong they have to check in," he said.

"Kung wala naman silang contact with EOC of Marikina, they can patch up through us, idi-direct namin o ia-assist namin sila para sila ay matanggap doon ng ating EOC at ma-direct sila kung saan na sila didiretso to immediately conduct their help," he added.

The heavy rainfall brought by the Typhoon Ulysses caused massive flooding in many areas in Metro Manila, particularly Marikina City.

Marikina River's water level even reached 21.8 meters at 9:14 a.m., breaching the level during Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.

City mayor Marcy Teodoro admitted that authorities were overwhelmed by the situation, as evacuation centers have become packed even as residents in several areas awaited rescue with floods reaching the second floor of houses.

"Nao-overwhelm na kami sa extent, magnitude ng baha na nararanasan namin," he said.

Teodoro appealed to the Philippine Coast Guard for help.

"Kung makakatugon sila sa lalong madaling panahon sana," he said.

The mayor said they need additional rescue boats and rescue personnel. Many residents were stranded and some of them had hypothermia, he said. —JST, GMA News