CALOOCAN CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -- Members of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) on Sunday morning conducted last minute preparations for Super Tyhoon Rolly that threatens the region with intense rains and devastating winds.
Concurrent MMDRRMC and MMDA Chairperson Danilo Delapuz Lim, who presided the emergency meeting, told member regional agencies and local government units (LGUs) to do everyone's respective share to mitigate possible effects of “Rolly” in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Lim called on regional agencies to extend any assistance needed by the LGUs who will be at the forefront of disaster response.
"No amount of preparation is 100 percent effective. We should always conduct a continuous review of all our preparedness efforts,” he said.
Lim also called on the public to follow the guidelines set by the government in terms of evacuation in order to save lives.
Rolly, as forecast by Pagasa-NCR Regional Director Dr. Bonifacio Pajuelas, is expected to traverse very near the NCR with its “eye wall” hitting the region with highly devastating winds with gustiness of up to 270 km/h and intense, to at times, torrential rains over Metro Manila.
While based on Pagasa's 8:00 a.m. severe weather bulletin this morning, Signal No. 4 has been raised over Metro Manila. Rolly made its second landfall over Tiwi, Albay at 7:20 a.m. today.
Pajuelas also warned of potential 3-meter high storm surges today along coastal areas of Metro Manila due to Rolly.
For his part, MMDRRMC Senior Vice Chair and Office of Civil Defense-NCR Director Romulo Cabantac recommended pre-emptive evacuation of residents along NCR coastal areas due to the risk of 3-meter high storm surges within 24 hours.
On the other hand, the Department of Health’s Metro Manila Center for Health Development Regional Director Corazon Flores said they continuously implement minimum health protocols in evacuation centers to prevent further COVID-19 spread.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s Liza Manzano also warned Metro Manila residents along esteros and river ways that they are also at risk of possible flooding.
For his part, Department of Social Welfare and Development-NCR Director Vic Tomas said communication redundancy has been readied in case of communication mishaps. Similarly, food and non-food items are already prepositioned in every LGU of Metro Manila that were identified as flood prone areas.
Moreover, Department of Education-NCR Regional Director Malcolm Garma said he already gave instructions to ensure that schools that will be used as evacuation centers are not at risk of flooding.
Garma also requested regional agencies and Metro Manila LGUs to evaluate the structural integrity against very destructive winds of school facilities used as evacuation centers such as covered courts.
For his part, Department of Public Works and Highways-NCR Engr. Rey Rosario reported on their agency's deployment and pre-positioned assets for Super Typhoon Rolly. Their agency has been placed in charge of road clearing operations during emergencies.
Meanwhile, Department of Energy-NCR's Jess Tamang said the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines reported that Metro Manila has enough standby power supply, this, despite only one geothermal plant in Bicol stopping operations due to Super Typhoon Rolly.
Tamang said all power plants are located outside Metro Manila. He also reiterated Meralco's appeal for billboard operators to roll down their materials to avoid future damage to power lines.
Lastly, Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Manny Gonzales said all light rail transit operations (including LRT1, LRT2 and MRT) have been temporarily suspended following the Signal No. 4 declaration over Metro Manila due to Rolly. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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