QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- National government agencies are working non-stop to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
Various agencies presented their response efforts during the situation briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that was presided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday.
DICT Secretary Ivan Uy reported that satellite phones had been pre-deployed as telecommunications were unstable in some municipalities.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo highlighted the efforts of local government officials in preparing for “Paeng” including pre-emptive evacuation of constituents.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum said that flood advisories had been issued in Maguindanao due to rainfall made heavier by a Low Pressure Area that combined with Paeng’s strength.
Solidum emphasized the importance of urging people on the ground to heed flood advisories and evacuate immediately.
Jun Galang of DOST-PAGASA had earlier reported the landfall of STS “Paeng” near the boundary of Batangas and Quezon and its expected exit near Cavite later today or early tomorrow, 30 October 2022.
He described rainfall in the last 24 hours as ranging from light to torrential across much of the archipelago, from Daet, Camarines Norte to Coron, Palawan.
He said more heavy rains are expected all day of Saturday, the heaviest rains forecast to fall in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Bicol, Marinduque, Romblon, Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan.
On Sunday, rainfall is expected across Southern and Central Luzon with the heaviest rainfall in Zambales, Bataan, and Ilocos.
President Marcos reiterated that national agencies should coordinate with local government to bring assistance where it was needed.
He also cited the importance of agencies extending their full support to local governments in disaster preparedness and recovery.
He called on government agencies to keep following standard procedures and to extend all efforts to send aid as soon as possible. (PIA-PMD)
