Prepare 72-hour survival kit, residents told; Signal No. 3 up in Metro Manila

By Mario J. Mallari

10/31/2009

Government authorities yesterday said they were preparing for the worst as a typhoon was set to hit Metro Manila and nearby areas still reeling from storms that claimed more than 1,100 lives.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) urged the people to prepare food and non-food items that are enough to last for three days as typhoon “Santi,” packing gusts of up to 185 kilometers an hour and carrying vast amounts of rain, was forecast to hit the eastern edge of the main island of Luzon Friday night, then quickly moved west and over Metro Manila.

Storm Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the National Capital Region and 14

other areas in Luzon.

NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said the NDCC had an inter-agency meeting on Friday morning to check on the agencies operational readiness to respond to the effects of Santi.

“Considering our land is already saturated with water, it may cause flooding in some areas. It is hard to tell if there will be floods but we are preparing for the worst,” he stressed.

Manila’s 12 million residents and other areas in Santi’s forecast path have been warned to prepare enough emergency provisions for 72 hours, he added.

Also checked during the meeting was the stockpiling of relief goods that may be needed by those who may be affected by the weather disturbance and the deployment of personnel and equipment needed in relief and response operations.

“Aside from the collective preparations being undertaken, individual family preparedness is encouraged such as readying a 72-hour survival kit,” Torres said.

Recommended contents of such kit are compact food and rice stocks stored in plastic container, he added.

Torres said the kit should also include non-food items such radio, flashlight and battery, basic tools, beddings, utensils, clothing, toiletries, first aid kit, and organizer fir for important documents, and a family evacuation plan.

President Arroyo had also ordered evacuation of areas that might be hit by landslides and flashfloods.

“Because of the forthcoming typhoon Santi, I am advising all our people who would be affected by the typhoon to evacuate in a safer place, especially if there is no guarantee on the sturdiness of your households,” Arroyo said in her statement which was read by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Remonde relayed that the government has already alerted all agencies concerned in anticipation of Santi’s strike that began through the prepositioning of some relief goods and other emergency rescue equipments like rubber boats to some areas in Central Luzon, which was said to be the target of the typhoon according to forecast.

But Torres said no evacuations had yet been ordered for Metro Manila.

He added there was also an agreement reached to sectorize the assistance to local government units in Metro Manila in responding to Santi.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s National Capital Region Command will be providing primary disaster mitigation and response support to Markina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Parañaque, Pasay and Makati while the Philippine National Police (PNP) is tasked to render assistance to Las Piñas, Quezon City, Manila, San Juan and Mandaluyong, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be in charge in supporting Muntinlupa while the Bureau of Fire Protection will be taking care of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Other parts of Luzon in Santi’s path are struggling from yet another storm that battered the island a week after Typhoon “Ondoy.”

Typhoon “Pepeng” struck Northern Luzon on Oct. 3, then caused massive flooding and landslides as it hovered over the region for about 10 days, claiming 465 lives.

Santi’s approach also threw into chaos plans by millions of Filipinos to head back to their hometowns for a long-weekend holiday that is a time for family reunions.

Sunday is All-Saints’ Day, when millions of people in the country traditionally visit the graves of their relatives.

Ferries were canceled, schools closed and the military put on standby Friday as Luzon braced for another powerful typhoon, officials said.

Philippine Airlines also canceled 50 domestic and international flights departing and arriving in Manila until noon Saturday due to the expected onslaught of Santi. Aytch S. de la Cruz, PNA and AFP

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