NDRRMC chief wrongly claims only state-run media carried Ulysses warnings

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad on Sunday wrongly claimed that the media did not carry warnings regarding Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco).

In a briefing in Cagayan where towns and municipalities were submerged due to heavy flooding, Jalad responded to a query regarding the information dissemination of the storms, and communication efforts of the government on the urgency of evacuation.

"Meron kaming press release tungkol diyan. Kung i-Google niyo 'yan, I think it is only PNA nagkarga niyan," he said, referring to state-run Philippine News Agency.

A quick check online, however, would reveal that multiple news agencies carried government warnings on Typhoon Ulysses which hit the country only a week after Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni).

GMA News, along with other publications, have carried warnings days before the landfall, on top of the government reminders for localities to implement the necessary protocols in preparation for the Ulysses.

READ: DILG, NDRRMC to public: Follow evacuation measures against storm

Ulysses hit the country last week, killing at least 67 and leaving damages worth P1.19 billion in terms of agriculture, and P469.7 million in terms of infrastructure.

The typhoon exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning, but heavy rains and the relase of water from the Magat Dam and other reservoirs brought about massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.

"Siguro ang learning ko ho is tatatawgan ko si Chiara, 'Pakikarga mo nga ito'," said Jalad, referring to ABS-CBN reporter Chiara Zambrano.

"Tatatawagan ko 'yung iba't ibang media personalities, 'Pakikarga niyo nga ito, not relying on sending them to our Viber group, not relying on sending them through 'yung network natin sa Defense Press Corp," he added.

To recall, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in May ordered the shutdown of ABS-CBN sans a congressional franchise, despite the agency saying it will issue a provisional authority.

It also recalled all frequencies and channels assigned to ABS-CBN Corp in September.

"Bago dumating ang bagyo mga dalawa o tatalong araw apart doon sa resulta ng meeting namin, 'yung tinatawag namin na Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meeting, nagkaroon kami ng mga communications through the differnet national government agencies, especially doon sa mga uniformed services," said Jalad.

"Kasi nga, recognizing na medyo may handicap tayo sa communications dahil 'yung telcos hindi pa 100% power hindi pa 100% so yung tv hindi rin makakanood ng TV," he added. —JST, GMA News