DILG to LGUs: Brace for supertyphoon

Roxas, vice chairman for disaster preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the local executives should immediately adopt measures on how to effectively warn residents, particularly those living along the coastlines and other danger areas, on the possible impact of inclement weather in their respective areas.

 

"Mas mabuti na ang handa kaysa magsisi sa bandang huli. Mahalaga ang bawat oras para magligtas ng buhay," Roxas said.

 

The DILG alert was sent through email and SMS blast to governors and mayors from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

 

Roxas advised the governors and mayors to seek assistance from the local police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other first-responder units in case there is a need to evacuate residents from danger zones.

 

He also instructed the local executives to mobilize all government vehicles that may be needed in the evacuation process.

 

"Importanteng ma-monitor ng ating mga local DRRMC ang galaw ng bagyong ito bago pa man tumama sa lupa. Walang saysay ang paghahanda kung hihintayin pa natin ang pagtama ng bagyo sa Pilipinas bago tayo kumilos," he added.

 

Roxas specifically cited the need to identify and prepare evacuation centers in various cities and municipalities, where stock of relief goods are pre-positioned for distribution to residents that may be displaced by the calamity.

 

He also advised the governors and mayors to mobilize, in coordination with the local police, their respective search and rescue teams so these can be immediately deployed in areas prone to landslides and flash floods.     

 

The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Tuesday morning that the cyclone, internationally named Haiyan, may grow progressively more powerful until at least Nov. 7, Thursday.

 

The US meteorologists made a forecast that Haiyan could be at super typhoon strength, with a peak intensity at 241 kilometers per hour, by the time it strikes the central Philippines.

 

Philippine state weather forecasters said Haiyan is moving westward at 20 kph and may make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Bicol.

 

Once Haiyan enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it will be named Yolanda.