OCD: P108M worth of non-food items, P244M quick response fund ready for Betty

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Sunday it has at least P108 million worth of non-food items prepositioned, and P244 million more quick response fund on standby to help those who will be affected by Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar).

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, OCD information officer Diego Mariano said part of their preparations for the incoming storm is the prepositioning, stockpiling, and restocking of relief goods and non-food items in all provinces.

Even rescuers and responders from local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRMMO), and various government agencies were already alerted in case needed, he added.

“Ang ating mga LDRRMOs ay may mga sari-sariling teams. Meron din silang kaakibat na volunteer groups na tumutulong sa kanila. Ang AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] naman ay mayroong mahigit 12,000 na search and rescue personnel all over the Philippines. Sa may Region 2, may almost 1,000 personnel mula PNP [Philippine National Police], BFP [Bureau of Fire Protection], at PCG [Philippine Coast Guard],” Mariano said.

(Our LDRRMOs have their own teams. They also have affiliated volunteer groups that help them. The AFP has more than 12,000 search and rescue personnel all over the Philippines. In Region 2, there are almost 1,000 personnel from PNP, BFP, and PCG.)

“'Yung ating manpower ay sa tingin natin ay okay naman po at sasapat,” he continued.

(We think our manpower is okay and will be enough.)

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised on Sunday morning over 12 areas as Betty maintained its strength while moving over the Philippine Sea east of Northern Luzon, PAGASA said.

Batanes

In Batanes, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMO) officer-in-charge Roldan Esdicul said there were no individuals evacuated yet despite occasional rains being experienced in the province.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang preemptive evacuation pero nakahanda kami if ever kailanganin. Siguro, bukas makikita kung kailangan,” he said in a separate dzBB interview.

(For now, there is no preemptive evacuation but we are ready if ever needed. Maybe, tomorrow we will see if it is necessary.)

He also said that around 6,000 family food packs were already prepositioned in all their municipalities, while 850 additional packs were provided by the Philippine Air Force.

Cagayan

In Cagayan, meanwhile, PDRRMO head Ruelie Rapsing said they are expecting to experience the effects of Betty by midday Sunday.

He said several municipalities have decided to suspend classes and work, and implement a temporary liquor ban for the entire duration Betty is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Classes on Monday, May 28, in all levels in public and private schools in Cagayan were canceled.

“Ang probinsya ng Cagayan, 70% of the 29 towns are highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides... May identified na kaming areas of concern diyan, mostly our coastal areas in the northern part of the province, 'yan ang highly susceptible sa storm surge,” Rapsing said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(In the province of Cagayan, 70% of the 29 towns are highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides... We have identified areas of concern there, mostly our coastal areas in the northern part of the province, that are highly susceptible to storm surge.)

Isabela

On the other hand, Isabela PDRRMO head Atty. Constante Foronda said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB that they are also monitoring the northernmost towns in the province which may be most affected should the Cagayan River overflow.

He said rescue vehicles for water search and rescue were already configured for emergency purposes, while around 5,000 family food packs were stocked and ready to be distributed. —KG, GMA Integrated News