Malacañang assures standby funds of P879 million for LGUs amid Rolly

MANILA, Philippines — Palace on Saturday announced that it has standby funds of P879 million to help local government units respond to effects of Typhoon Rolly, which is expected to make landfall on Sunday afternoon.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on the one hand, has stockpiles and standby funds amounting to more than P879-M, as of October 30 6PM, for ready resource augmentation to local government units,” Lawyer Harry Roque, presidential spokesman, said in a statement.

Malacañang also assured the public that all disaster agencies are on standby 24/7 to be ready for the impact of the weather disturbance.

“The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center is already on Red Alert Status and is in close coordination with all regional disaster risk reduction and management councils and local government units that are in the track of the Typhoon,” he said.

The NDRRMC also underwent “Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to ensure that all local government units and communities are prepared for the possible impacts of the typhoon to landslide-, flood-, storm surge- and lahar flow- prone areas,” Roque said.

Malacañang, likewise, asked the public to stay calm but be updated and vigilant by checking the latest official weather advisories.

“We ask the public, especially the residents of potential areas that will be affected by the typhoon to stay calm yet vigilant, check the latest government weather advisory, listen to the radio or watch television for more information, secure their house and vehicle, and keep their family members and loved ones dry and safe,” Roque said.

The typhoon, which has the international name of Goni, is expected to pass the southeastern part of Luzon in the early morning of Sunday before making landfall in the afternoon.

State weather bureau said Rolly is packing maximum sustained winds of  215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 265 kph.

Weathermen said Rolly was last spotted at 410 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

CFC