NDRRMC chief says 'worst seems to be over' as Betty moves away from PH

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV believes the 'worst seems to be over' as Typhoon Betty continues to move away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

"I think so kasi pataas na siya ngayon e, kasi Tuesday na, yung bagong bulletin nga medyo ano na, lampas na siya ng Batanes,” he said.

(I think so because it is now moving upwards and it's already Tuesday. The latest bulletin stated that it had already passed Batanes.)

The NDRRMC spokesperson said there was no reported major damage caused by Betty.

“Based sa report na natatangap namin ang effect is very, in a way, very minimal ano compared dun sa pinoproject natin,” he said.

(Based on the report we received, the effect is, in a way, very minimal compared to what we were projecting.)

He said at least 5,488 persons have been preemptively evacuated.

“We're very happy na ganun lang ano, wala namang grabeng nadamage talaga, so all in all I think ano lang siya, kung pwede kung sabihin e parang nageexercise lang tayo of our protocols, procedures,” he said.

(We're very happy, there were no heavy damage. So, all in all, I think it's just what it is, if we can say it's like we just exercised our protocols.)

Earlier, the NDRRMC reported that 11,264 people or 2,859 families

A total of 3,483 persons or 877 families were staying inside 21 evacuation centers, while 381 people or 112 families were taking shelter in other places.

Assistance worth P1,897,764 has been provided to the victims, according to the NDRRMC.

“Of course kumbaga nagreready lang tayo, maganda rin naman yun kasi medyo nagstart up tayo na maghanda na ano kasi typhoon season na officially starting ngayong May [at] June,” he added.

(Of course, we are trying to be prepared, especially that the typhoon season will officially start this May and June.)

Based on PAGASA’s 11 a.m. advisory, Betty is expected to move slowly between Tuesday until Wednesday as it turns more northward over the waters east of Batanes.

Two areas, Batanes and parts of Cagayan, are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 and there are places still under TCWS No. 1.

Betty is expected to gradually accelerate north northeastward on Thursday and northeastward on Friday, bringing its center over the waters southeast of the Ryukyu Islands.

Betty may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on late Thursday or Friday morning, according to PAGASA. —Richa Noriega/ VAL, GMA Integrated News