Disaster response teams (DRTs) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are always ready to help with government efforts to mitigate the effects of low pressure areas (LPA), tropical depressions, typhoons, and other calamities.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez made this assurance during an online briefing Sunday as two LPAs entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“Our DRTs are always ready. They are always on alert especially when there are LPAs, tropical depressions and especially typhoons. As appropriate to the areas, there are always DRTs on standby,” he said in Filipino.
NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal, in the same briefing, said that while no DRTs from the AFP are being deployed yet following the entry of two LPAs into the PAR, troops and other members of the uniformed services are on standby.
“This in case localities may need assistance,” he added.
Timbal urged the public to be on alert despite the yuletide season now that there are two LPAs in the country.
He also said the government is on top on the situation to ensure the safety of all Filipino citizens.
“Ang mga LGUs [local government units] na nasa mga river basins at flood plains ay dapat nakahanda sa posibilidad ng pagbaha (All LGUs located in river basin and flood plains must be ready for the possibility of flooding),” he added.
While those residing in flood, landslide, and lahar-prone areas are advised to be alert and maintain constant communications with their LGUs and be ready for immediate evacuation.
“Palaging mag-monitor sa mga advisories ng PAGASA [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] at mga abiso ng LGUs (Always monitor all advisories coming from PAGASA and those from the LGUs),” Timbal added.
Aside from LGUs, he said the DRRM councils and communities will be on standby to provide necessary information to mitigate the effects of possible flooding and landslides.
“Tuloy pa rin ang flood precaution period sa Magat, dahil sa continuing rains, so magre-release pa rin ng tubig (Flood precaution period at Magat remains due to continuous rains, so water will be released) dependent on the rainfall,” Timbal said
He also reminded everyone to observe health protocols to avoid the dreaded coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the first LPA over the West Philippine Sea was estimated at 80 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan while the second LPA east of Bicol Region was spotted at 85 kilometers east of Legazpi City, Albay as of 10 a.m.
“However, due to improvements in the cloud system of both disturbance over the past 12 hours, the likelihood of tropical cyclone formation is not ruled out at this time,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said the two weather disturbances are forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Quezon, Aurora, Bulacan, Rizal, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Dinagat Islands, Calamian Islands, and Kalayaan Islands on Sunday. Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the rest of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Visayas, and Caraga will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
On Monday, moderate to heavy rains is expected over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, the northern portion of Apayao, the northern portion of Ilocos Norte, and Aurora and light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalayaan Islands, and the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Apayao.
The weather bureau also warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall, especially in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards or in localities that received significant amount rainfall over the past couple of days or weeks. (PNA)
