Medical, fire teams on standby

MANILA, Philippines – Around 70 personnel from the Quezon City Medical Team are on standby in the area.

“This is to give first aid and to be ready for any untoward incident,” said Dr. Noel Lansang, chief of Disaster Control Division.

“We’ve been here since 5 a.m., until SONA finishes,” he said.

Personnel from the Department of Public Order and Safety, and some non-government organizations were also deployed to reinforce the Quezon City medical team.

Local government units loaned their firetrucks, which were in the area since 1 a.m., said Fire Officer Ramil Samson, emergency medical service of the Bureau of Fire Protection.