Gov’t on disaster-preparedness mode over ‘Butchoy’

NDRRMC Usec. Benito Ramos with Robert Sawi Pagasa's chief weather forecaster points to Tropical Storm Butchoy (international code name Guchol) adding it will not likely be felt until Friday or early Saturday, during a presconference at PAGASA, thursday. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Government agencies are on high gear as tropical storm “Butchoy” entered the country before noon Thursday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development alerted its Quick Response Team at the regional level and were ready for deployment. A P3.44 million standby fund and P9.21 million worth of relief supplies were. prepositioned, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.

The police and military in regional areas are also on standby for possible deployment.

On Thursday, the NDRRMC has changed to blue alert status, which means that there should be enough personnel on standby to respond immediately to any situation.

Meanwhile, Kennon Road at Camp 3 in Tuba, Benguet is also on an “open-close” situation due to unstable rock slope, while Kalinga -Abra road, Talalang section is closed to traffic due to landslide, the NDRRMC said.

Clearing operations in affected areas are ongoing as of posting time.