Prepare for new ‘Ondoy’ – Aquino

Residents remove debris at a mud covered residential area in Rizal province, on Sunday. Evacuees slowly return to their homes to clear mud and debris that swamped their area after days of torrential rain submerged nearly half of the metropolis. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA — Prepare for a stronger Ondoy.

So did President Aquino warn the public on Sunday, as he resumed his swing through flooded areas in Laguna, and Rizal provinces and Pasay City.

Referring to the new norm of fierce weather disturbances amid climate change, Aquino urged government agencies responsible for rescue, relief and rehabilitation, and the general public to change their mindset in dealing with disasters.

He said solutions should anticipate higher flood and more torrential rains. Aquino said he would reveal details of a masterplan next week, which would include the massive relocation of families that built shanties along floodways, esteros (waterways).

In stressing his point, Aquino referred to the 2009 tropical storm Ondoy, which caused massive flood in Metro Manila, killed scores of people and temporarily displaced millions.