NCR cites preparations for disaster response

ALL QUIET HERE Around 200 families from Metro Manila’s coastal areas take shelter at President Corazon Aquino High School in Baseco Compound, Port Area, Manila. The city government had joined other efforts to ensure thorough preparations for the impact of Super Typhoon Pepito. —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — National government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital (NCR), which was placed under Signal No. 2 on Sunday as the country braced for Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi), assured the public that they had prepared for disaster response.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Don Artes said all the equipment and assets of government agencies and LGUs were already prepositioned and ready for deployment once needed.

These included two aluminum boats, four motorized rubber boats, 5,000 life vests, solar-powered water purifiers, clearing equipment, as well as ambulances, tow trucks and rapid response vehicles.

READ: Pepito injures 2 persons, affects over 852,000 across PH so far – NDRRMC

Artes said all 71 pumping stations of the MMDA were fully operational and in good running condition to reduce flooding in Metro Manila.

Generator sets and power stations were among the first items prepared by hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure uninterrupted medical services on Sunday.

The DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development allocated more than P600,000 worth of logistical support for medical and public health needs, including several medicines such as antibiotics, skin treatments, medications for cough, colds, fever and hypertension, as well as multivitamins, as well as hygiene kits, other health emergency commodities and food supplies.

The Philippine Emergency Assistance Team of Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, which is fully equipped with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for outpatient care, was also on standby for deployment if necessary.

Aside from hospitals, the DOH ensured that barangay health centers, rural health units and alternate command centers were on alert and ready to respond to those affected by the typhoon.

Disease surveillance will also be conducted in evacuation centers to prevent the spread of illnesses following the relocation of affected residents in various NCR areas.

“Government agencies are working hard to evacuate our fellow citizens early from flood- and landslide-prone areas. The DOH is ready to support the health needs of evacuees, whether they go to health-care facilities or evacuation centers,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.