MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday assured that it is ready for the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy which is expected to spawn heavy rains in parts of Southern Luzon.
From Pagasa website
“We assure, 100 percent, naka-ready tayo. Yung MMDA, yung ating four quadrants sa Metro Manila, naka-ready na po ‘yan, anytime po yan na pwedeng i-deploy,” MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in a press briefing on Monday.
(We assure you that we are 100 percent ready. The MMDA’s four quadrants are ready for deployment anytime)
“Ang DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), I think, nagsimula na ring patanggal yung mga billboards natin, ang DILG nag-advise na sa mga local governments, kung masusundan po natin, madami nang mga nagsuspend din ng klase sa mga LGUs natin sa Metro Manila even sa provinces,” Garcia added.
(The DILG and the DPWH, I think, have started removing billboards and the DILG has also advised local governments, and if we can recall, many of the LGUs in Metro Manila have already suspended classes).
In terms of flood control, Garcia said all pumping stations in Metro Manila are functioning.
“As of now, the MMDA has 61 pumping stations all over Metro Manila. These water pumps are expected to help alleviate flooding,” Garcia said.
“Yung pagdating sa mga sewerage natin…summer pa lang pinaghahandaan na yan. araw-araw naman. May darating mang bagyo o wala, laging nalilinis yan ng ating team sa flood control,” he added.
(In terms of the sewerage system, we’ve been preparing for it since summer. Whether or not there’s a typhoon coming, our flood control team always cleans it).
Garcia further said that the MMDA is closely coordinating with local government units and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) in case rescue units need to be deployed to certain areas.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said it last spotted Tisoy 235 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.
It has a maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
Tisoy is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes or Albay between Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the state weather bureau said.
It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning.