OVP assures Marikina, other flooded NCR, Rizal areas: Help on the way
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has assured residents from the eastern portion of Metro Manila as well as nearby provinces slammed by Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) seeking assistance that help is on the way.
On Thursday night, Vice President Leni Robredo was herself leading efforts to coordinate requests sent to their office with concerned local government units (LGUs) that could respond to flooded areas in Marikina, Rizal, and other places in the National Capital Region.
Robredo was in talks with private sector partners to provide equipment like trucks and boats to rescue stranded people either trapped inside or above their homes after overnight rains from Typhoon Ulysses caused massive flooding.
“The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo has set in motion its efforts to help communities reeling from the effects of Typhoon Ulysses. Led by VP Leni herself, the Office has been facilitating requests for the rescue of families and individuals stranded in flooded areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, particularly Marikina City and several parts of Rizal,” OVP said in a statement.
“For this, the OVP is in coordination with government agencies conducting rescue operations, to whom these requests are referred. We are also working with private partners to provide much-needed assets, like trucks and boats, to affected areas,” it added.
In a tweet also on Thursday, Robredo said their office has been informed that assets like boats would be provided by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and Philippine Coast Guard to access areas in Malanday and Tumana in Marikina City.
Here's an update from our team re: rescue ops in Provident Village, Marikina —
As per JTF NCR Navy and Coast Guard on going yung water rescue opns nila, may padating pa sila 3 aluminum boats mg augment para mapasok nila yung Malanday and Tumana
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) November 12, 2020
Earlier Thursday, Robredo used her social media accounts to gather information from people on-site who might need to be rescued amid the onslaught of Ulysses in their respective areas.
Social media went abuzz with reports of water flooding houses as high as three floors in San Mateo, Marikina, and Rizal province.
One of the successful rescue operations was conducted by members of the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force in Taytay, Rizal.
“Update from our team: Rescued already with the help of Army and Air Force personnel. Patient brought to barangay hall, provided with oxygen before transport to hospital,” Robredo said.
Ongoing rescue operations now at Marigold and Estrella Heights. Pa forward lang po sa mga nagpaabot ng requests from here kanina.
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) November 12, 2020
[A] Update from our team: Rescued already with the help of Army and Air Force personnel. Patient brought to barangay hall, provided with oxygen before transport to hospital. https://t.co/hJvVCSdVbz
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) November 12, 2020
OVP said it is likewise in touch with LGUs for the assessment of areas within its jurisdiction which are considered to have the most urgent needs so that appropriate aid will be deployed in a more efficient manner.
“We are likewise monitoring areas in need of immediate assistance. The Office has touched base with affected LGUs to inquire about the urgent needs in their respective communities and commits to immediately respond to the best of our limited resources, and with support from partners and donors,” it added.
After making landfall thrice in different parts of Quezon province from Wednesday night to early Thursday morning, Ulysses moved towards Central Luzon — affecting many areas, including Metro Manila, with its eyewall so extensive that it even affected parts of the Bicol Region and Southern Luzon that were hit by Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) just days before Ulysses.
At its peak, Ulysses packed maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 255 kph. As of Thursday night, Ulysses slightly weakened but remains in the typhoon category.
This is not the first time that OVP teams set out to assist calamity victims. After Rolly barreled through Bicol Region, Robredo’s office visited and provided aid in Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes, among others.
