PCG starts deployment of rescue personnel in Metro Manila

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Capt. Armand Balilo. INQUIRER.net photo / Christia Marie Ramos

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started deploying rescue personnel across Metro Manila areas in anticipation of the effects of Typhoon Tisoy (internationally known as Kammuri).

In a press briefing on Monday, PCG spokesperson Capt. Armando Balilo said it has already coordinated with local government units for the deployment of Coast Guard personnel in their respective areas.

“Ang preparation naman po ng Coast Guard ng National Capital Region, nagkaroon kami ng coordination with the local government units. Meron na kaming pinadalang mga rescue personnel sa Marikina, sa Manila, sa Navotas at Valenzuela,” he said.

(In terms of the preparation of the Coast Guard in the National Capital Region, we have already coordinated with the local government units. We deployed rescue personnel in Marikina, Manila, Navotas and Valenzuela).

“Ang initial deployment ng Coast Guard ay yung mga perennial o yung lagi na lang na binabaha,” he added.

(The initial deployment of the Coast Guard is within the areas that are perennial or those that always experience flooding).

“Umiikot din po ang mga tauhan ng Coast Guard dito sa Baseco hanggang Malabon para po mag-monitor ng taas ng tubig at makapagbigay ng sapat na babala kung sakaling magkaroon ng evacuation yung mga local government units,” he further said.

(Coast Guard personnel are also monitoring the water level in Baseco to Malabon to ensure preparedness in case local government units decide to conduct evacuation).

Metro Manila is currently placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.

“Ang paniwala namin hindi masyado (yung lakas ng alon) sa Manila kasi kung tinitignan namin, yung paga-analyze din nung mga sa operations center namin, baka pagdating dito sa Manila, talagang ulan na lang and hopefully hindi na masyadong malakas yung hangin,” Balilo further said.

(We don’t expect that waves would be too violent in Manila based on the analysis of our operations center, when it comes here, it would just be the rain and hopefully the wind would not be that strong).

“But just the same we will prepare for evacuations kung sakali kung talagang merong indication na lalaki ng malaki yung alon dito sa karagatan ng Metro Manila,” he added.

(But just the same, we will prepare for evacuations in the event that there would be an indication that there would be massive waves here).

Balilo, meanwhile, reiterated that all maritime activities in areas placed under TCWS are suspended.

This includes recreational activities, he added.

“Pag naka-raise yung public storm warning signal sa isang particular area, kahit Signal No. 1 lang, lahat ng klase ng maritime activities, ay hindi na po pinapayagan,” he said.

(If public storm warning signal is raised in a particular area, even if it’s only signal, all kinds of maritime activities are not allowed).

“That is to include yung recreational activities like halimbawa sa batangas mga nago-iscuba pa o kaya may mga naga-island hopping pa dahil wala pang bagyo at maganda pa yung panahon, hindi na po natin siya pinapayagan,” he added.

(That is to include recreational activities like scuba diving or island hopping).

The state weather bureau said it last spotted Tisoy 235 kilometers east of southeast Virac, Catanduanes.

It has a maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

Edited by JPV