Power restoration, evacuees’ welfare top palace priorities in Glenda’s aftermath

The government is prioritizing power restoration and the welfare of evacuees in the aftermath of Typhoon Glenda, Malacañang said Wednesday.

 

In a text message, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III "is monitoring the situation" while government agencies begin clearing operations and assess the damage caused by the typhoon.

 

"Our top priorities at this point are the health and welfare of evacuees, and the return of power and communications to communities. As developments arise and services are restored, rest assured the public will be kept informed," Lacierda said.

 

The Palace official added that "many areas achieved their zero casualty goals" based on initial reports. Aquino ordered government agencies to minimize casualties before the typhoon hit several parts of the country. 

At least 10 people have been reported killed after Typhoon Glenda battered parts of the Bicol Region, Metro Manila, southern and central Luzon from Tuesday night to Wednesday afternoon. 

 

Over 373,000 individuals were evacuated during the typhoon's onslaught, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). 

 

Ninety percent of Manila Electric Co's (Meralco) franchise area in Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and nearby provinces suffered power outages after the typhoon toppled electric poles and downed transmission lines of the Luzon grid. 

 

The cyclone has moved toward the West Philippine Sea, and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday.

 

Lacierda thanked the public, the media, and government agencies for helping disseminate information on the weather disturbance.

 

"Let us take stock of the manner in which the public, the media, local and national government agencies worked together to ensure preparations were in place, and information disseminated effectively and in a timely manner," the Palace official said.

 

In November last year, the Aquino administration was heavily criticized for its slow response and supposed lack of coordination in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, which left 6,200 dead and damaged P39 billion worth of properties after ripping through the central Philippines. —KG, GMA News