Gov’t told: Build durable risk management center for Viga, Catanduanes

Super Typhoon Pepito damaged the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Viga, Catanduanes. Photo from Viga MDRRMO’s Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines — As the country bore the brunt of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi), the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Viga, Catanduanes has asked the government to come up with a durable design for its operation center.

In a Facebook post, the Viga MDRRMO showed how Pepito damaged the ceilings of its center.

A video showed responders holding a room’s ceiling to prevent it from collapsing.

“We needed a design of the art operation center with an advanced architectural design that can withstand 300 kph (kilometers per hour) wind,” the post read.

“Sana mapansin po sa taas,” it added.

(We hope the higher-ups will notice this.) 

Based on the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 852,475 people nationwide were affected by Pepito as of Sunday.

The super typhoon was last spotted 120 kilometers east-southeast of Baler Aurora. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 185 kph with gusts of up to 230 kph.

In about a month, six weather disturbances battered the Philippines: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey), Typhoon Marce (international name: Yinxing), Typhoon Nika (international name: Toraji), Typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi), and Pepito.

Kristine exited the country’s boundary last October 25, while Leon left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on November 1.

On the other hand, Marce exited PAR on November 8 and Nika on November 12. Ofel left PAR on November 17.