NCR ramps up preparations ahead of Typhoon Uwan

MANILA, Philippines — All local governments in Metro Manila are mobilizing their resources in preparation for Typhoon Uwan, which is expected to hit the Philippines today.

Metro Manila Council president Francis Zamora said yesterday that all local government units have readied their rescue vehicles for deployment, pre-positioned food boxes and medicines in evacuation centers and declogged drainages, adding that the LGUs continue to disseminate timely information to the public.

Zamora, also the mayor of San Juan, said preventive evacuation of residents living in low-lying areas and other similar danger zones would be conducted when needed.

He assured the public that all pumping stations are operational all day “with sufficient personnel and diesel supply” to prevent flooding.

“Let us all remain prepared and alert as Typhoon Uwan has already entered the Philippine area of responsibility. The safety and well-being of every Metro Manila resident remain our foremost concern,” Zamora said in a statement.

The Metro Manila Development Authority deployed its search and rescue teams in the four quadrants of the metropolis. All MMDA teams are equipped with rubber boats, life vests, mobile pump units and buoys, among other emergency tools.

Mayors Isko Moreno of Manila and Along Malapitan of Caloocan raised the red alert status in their cities to ensure that personnel are present and ready to respond to calls for help.

The disaster risk reduction and management offices of Makati and Muntinlupa have already placed their cities under blue alert status.

Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela – collectively known as Camanava – have stepped up their disaster preparedness efforts, given the quadrant’s susceptibility to flooding.

Erwin Alfonso, Muntinlupa disaster risk reduction and management office chief, said the city has designated the evacuation centers should residents living in the coastal sections of Barangays Buli, Cupang, Poblacion and Sucat need to evacuate.

Taguig prepositioned rescue boats in Lakeshore along C-6 Road as it advised residents in flood-prone barangays – Fort Bonifacio, Hagonoy, Katuparan, Rizal and Western Bicutan – to be on alert.

It also warned of possible landslides in some parts of Barangays Cembo, North Daang Hari, Pembo and West Rembo.

Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Navotas, Pasig, Pateros, Parañaque, Taguig and Valenzuela have already announced class suspensions in all levels on Monday.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office deployed over 2,000 personnel to assist in disaster-related operations, with 1,777 officers serving as reactionary standby support force, 609 as search, rescue and retrieval personnel and 216 as part of quick response teams.

“We are prepared to act at any moment to protect lives, maintain order and support our communities through coordinated efforts,” Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said.

The Northern Police District also assigned 180 personnel to its disaster response team with NPD director Brig. Gen. Jerry Protacio noting that previous typhoons had shown that clogged waterways could result to death.

Fishing in Laguna de Bay is temporarily banned to ensure the safety of fisherfolks, according to the Lake Management Office.