NDRRMC ahead of possible supertyphoon: Be responsible on social media

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has asked the public to be discerning in relying on sources of information on possible supertyphoon Mangkhut that continues to approach the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

"Sana, yung mga tao, lalo na, 'yung sense of nationhood nila, sana huwag na silang makadagdag dun sa problema kasi we are challenged with the possibility of a very strong typhoon hitting the northern tip of Northern Luzon sometime in the week," NDRRMC spokesperson Edgar Posadas in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

"So nanawagan tayo na maging discerning tayo sa social media, maging responsible netizen tayo. Let us not add to the panic and the confusion," he added.

Mangkhut, which will be named Ompong once it enters PAR, is expected to become a supertyphoon and may affect northern parts Luzon later this week.

Posadas reminded residents in concerned areas to prepare a "go-bag" equipped with essentials to last a family and all members of the household for several days in the event of an evacuation.

"Nakalagay po du'n 'yung tubig for the next few days, pagkain, gamot, important documents, radio, flashlight," he said.

"At isaalang-alang din natin 'yung mga special needs nu'ng kapamilya natin at kasambahay. Pati 'yung mga may espesyal na pangangailangan, tulad ng matatanda, those who are sick, buntis, 'yung may mga anak, mag bata," he added.

The NDRRMC also encourages residents to establish a common meeting point in case they get separated from one another, especially children.

"Dapat we agree on a common point kung saan tayo magkikita, preferrably kung saan 'yung evacuation center kung saan natin pwedeng puntahan... Importante na alam 'yun ng mga bata."

Heavy rains and strong winds that could result in storm surge are to be expected when Ompong enters PAR.

The offices of the Office of Civil Defense in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region are already on red alert on Tuesday in preparation for the typhoon.

The DSWD has also earmarked P1.7 billion worth of standby fund, food and non-food items ahead of Ompong.

Referring to the pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) conducted Monday, Posadas said "Ang preparation po natin ay nasa level po ng Yolanda. Of course we have learned a lot from Yolanda."

"Only, hindi naman ibig sabihin na Mangkhut is of the same magnitude as Yolanda, but well anything could happen kasi lumalakas pa siya habang lumalapit siya sa Philippine Area of Responsibility," he added.

Yolanda, which devastated the country in November 2013, particularly the Visayas provinces, left around 6,000 people dead while others remain missing to this day. —JST, GMA News