President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all government agencies to make the necessary preparations for areas that will be hit by Typhoon “Tisoy” (international name “Kammuri”), which is expected to make landfall Tuesday as a Category 3 hurricane, the Palace said Monday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Malacañang is closely monitoring areas that will be affected by the typhoon.
“We ask the public, especially residents who will be affected by the typhoon to stay vigilant, check the latest weather advisory in their respective areas through government social media accounts and coordinate with their local disaster and risk reduction management offices for appropriate and responsive action,” Panelo said.
The typhoon has forced schools across the region to suspend classes. Cebu Pacific Airlines has also canceled a number of flights.
A total of 434 families or 1,328 persons have been preemptively evacuated from the municipalities of Basud, Jose Panganiban, and Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has also put in place stockpiles and set aside P2 billion in standby funds.
The Metro Manila Development Authority said Monday it is all geared up for Typhoon Tisoy, which is expected to bring heavy rains over parts of National Capital Region.
In a press briefing, MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the agency is on alert in preparation for Typhoon Tisoy’s onslaught.
“We are 100-percent prepared for Typhoon Tisoy. As a matter of fact, we have already activated the four quadrants in the metro to facilitate a more efficient response when emergency situations arise during typhoon,” Garcia said.
The four quadrants of Metro Manila are as follows:
• North Quadrant, composed of Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, San Juan;
• South Quadrant, composed of Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pateros, and Taguig;
• East Quadrant, composed of Marikina and Pasig; and
• West Quadrant, consisting of Navotas, Malabon, and Manila.
“Our rescue personnel are on standby to respond to any emergency,” he said.
Garcia noted that all pumping stations in Metro Manila are functional.
“As of now, the MMDA has 61 pumping stations all over Metro Manila. These water pumps are expected to help alleviate flooding,” Garcia said.
Garcia added that the agency is in close coordination with the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and local government units.
Present during the briefing are representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Capital Region Police Office and Philippine Coast Guard.
Typhoon Tisoy is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday morning.
The Civil Aviation Authority, meanwhile, directed local air operators to prepare for the possible effects of the incoming typhoon.
CAA director general Capt. Jim Sydiongco instructed all airlines to revisit and activate their Airline Operations Disruption Management Manual.
As a general rule, major airport facilities are shut down when typhoons with winds greater than 170kph are three to six hours away.
In the event of the shutdown, the airport’s manager or facility in-charge will issue a Notice to Airman of the non-availability of airport facilities upon the departure of the last aircraft.
Airports in the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central, and Southern Mindanao regions have already prepared by boarding up facilities, reinforcing structures, establishing direct coordination with local National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council office, charging generators, and re-stocking batteries and needed emergency supplies.
A NOTAM for the suspension of flight training of flying schools has also been released.
Also on Monday, the Diocese of Legazpi on Monday urged parish priests to open their churches to evacuees who may be affected by Typhoon Tisoy.
The Catholic prelate also urged members of the clergy to help the government in its efforts to provide shelter to those who will be affected by the typhoon. With PNA
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