QUEZON CITY -- In preparation for Super Typhoon “Betty,” the emergency preparedness and response (EPR) protocols of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are now activated in different parts of the country.
EPR protocols are sets of actions that must be undertaken by various government agencies and the local government units (LGUs) before the onslaught of the storm and during response operations.
“We continue to coordinate with different agencies on preparations for Super Typhoon ‘Betty.’ This is to ensure that all necessary measures are in place from the national down to the local level. We have already identified and activated appropriate emergency preparedness and response protocols in different regions to be affected by the weather disturbance.” Civil Defense Administrator and NDRRMC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said.
Meanwhile, on the status of standby resources, a total of 1,679 teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are on standby for search, rescue and retrieval.
On the status of stockpile and standby funds, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that it has a total of P2.2 billion in its Central office, field offices, and National Resource Operations Center (NROC).
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has also a standby Quick Response Fund (QRF) 2023 amounting to P256.2 million and continuing QRF from last year amounting to P244.7 million.
“Aside from the QRF, the OCD Central and its regional offices have a total of PHP 108.2 million worth of prepositioned non-food items. All these are ready for distribution to assist the affected communities. Other resources of the government are also on standby including our equipment for emergency telecommunications, transportation assets, among others. ” Usec. Nepomuceno said.
Response clusters of the government were also activated on Friday, May 26, in preparation for the storm. (OCD)
