General Benjamin Acorda Jr. (Inquirer/Nino Jesus Orbeta)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. has given assurances that the country’s 220,000-strong police force stands ready and is on high alert for Super Typhoon Mawar.
In a press briefing at Camp Colonel Romeo Abendan here on Friday, Acorda said the PNP’s Directorate of Community Relations has “already set all the necessary resources needed from rescue teams to distribution of relief goods.”
Acorda said all the police personnel in the country are well-trained in responding to disaster and crisis situations. “Right now, we continue to monitor the development of Mawar and we hope that it will not bring massive devastation.”
The PNP, he added, is also coordinating closely with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and all disaster risk reduction and management units in heightening its state of preparedness.
“We are on high alert and we are adjusting our personnel in areas where they are needed more,” Acorda said.
In Zamboanga City, information officer Sheila Belen Covarrubias said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) have already received instructions from Mayor John Dalipe to prepare for the incoming typhoon.
“The CDRRMO has activated its Emergency Operations Center and has placed its response teams and volunteers on standby in anticipation of emergencies, specifically flooding incidents,” Covarrubias said.
She added that the CDRRMO has also coordinated with the 98 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils so they are prepared for the possible impact of the typhoon.
“The local government and all the departments are closely monitoring Mawar which is expected to enter the (country) either Friday (May 26) or Saturday (May 27),” Covarrubias said.
The CSWDO has started stockpiling and prepositioning relief goods and other items for swift distribution to possible calamity victims.
Dalipe also advised the public to brace for the typhoon by taking the necessary precautionary measures and to closely monitor traditional media and social media platforms for news or updates related to the oncoming typhoon.
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