MMDA names flood-prone sites, offers contingency measures

MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has placed the entire metropolis on “blue alert,” with agencies on disaster management on stand-by in preparation for the heavy rains dumped by typhoon “Chedeng” and the southwest monsoon in the next two days.

“Even if Metro Manila is spared at the moment, we have to be vigilant and be ready once the weather bureau gives their advisories,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, who met with heads of agencies of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) Wednesday to present their contingency plans.

Participants

Agencies included in the MMDRRMC are the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Office of Civil Defense, Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR (BFP), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), National Capital Region Command and representatives from the private sector.

MMDA Metrobase Floodwatch and the Bayanihan Alliance also identified the following areas as flood-prone: Sampaloc and Rizal Avenue corner R. Papa in Manila; Makati Diversion Channel along South Superhighway and Buendia in Makati City; Maysilo Circle, Boni Avenue, Panaderos Street, Kalentong Street,bAcacia Lane and Shaw Boulevard, all in Mandaluyong City; Barangay Salapan and Bagong Bato in San Juan City; and Barangay Imelda, Damayong Lagi, Tatalon and Talayan in Quezon City.

Rising floodwaters

“We have deployed our men to pump and clear floodwater from drainage systems and they will return on Saturday when ‘Chedeng’ is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility,” Tolentino said.

As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7.5 inches of water flooded the Kamuning Interchange, Elliptical Road, westbound lane of East Avenue in Quezon City; Pascor Drive and SM Sucat area in Parañaque; and the eastbound lane of Mabuhay-Welcome Rotunda in Manila, while floodwater on Acacia Lane along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong was recorded at 19 inches.

Director Renato Brion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said rescue teams in local government units had been alerted for duty in the next three days.

Director Pat Corales of the health department’s Center for Health Development, on the other hand, said 13 medical teams had been created and a stockpile of doxycydrine had been prepared to combat flood-related diseases such as leptospirosis.

NCRPO Chief Directorial Staff Gen. Carmelo Valmoria said 2,758 policemen are on stand-by for rescue operations while 2,146 reserve personnel may be added if the need arises. He added that 875 mobile equipment, 16 rubber boats and sevewn ambulance units are ready for deployment.

Provisions

NCR Command Gen. Tristan Kison added that his unit can provide 30 rubber boats, two amphibian units and 50 6×6 trucks to support the MMDRRMC force.

More commitments came from BFP Director Santiago Laguna, who said they had 17 rubber boats and 1,812 firemen to augment the MMDRRMC rescue team plus volunteers from different fire brigades.

Shipping lines

Shipping lines based in Manila have been notified to cancel trips depending on advisories from the weather bureau Pagasa, said Philippine Coast Guard Commander Erwin Balagtas.

The MMDRRMC members also agreed to share watercraft resources and trucks with other local government units in Metro Manila to be used for rescue and evacuation operations.

Tolentino also advised the public to remain vigilant and be prepared with their own contingency measures, apart from monitoring the situation through news advisories.

“Preparations should also be done in the household level. The government agencies will do everything to keep our countrymen safe, but as citizens we must also do our part,” said the MMDA chief.