Gov’t ready for ‘Ambo,’ social distancing per family to be observed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday assured that evacuation centers are ready to cater to families and that social distancing will be observed as Typhoon “Ambo” makes landfall in Eastern Samar.

“Sang-ayon po sa Oplan Listo, sapat-sapat na po ang ating mga relief goods, handa na po ang ating mga evacuation centers, at ipapatupad po ang social distancing on a per family basis,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

(In accordance to Oplan Listo, we have enough relief goods, evacuation centers are ready, and social distancing will be observed per family basis.)

“So iyan naman po ay pinaghandaan na ng mga otoridad at sanay na naman po tayo pagdating sa contingencies na dahil sa mga bagyo,” he added.

(That is already being readied by authorities and we are adept when it comes to contingencies caused by typhoons.)

The Department of Health (DOH) also advised to observe physical distancing by separating families through tents inside evacuation centers. This way, possibly spreading the coronavirus will be prevented.

In Northern Samar, 70,000 families or 350,000 individuals were already ordered to evacuate due to Typhoon Ambo.

Albay is also readying evacuation centers that may cater to about 80,000 families or 400,000 individuals who are expected to be evacuated.