MANILA, (PNA) — Malacanang assured the public that quick response programs are already in place in order to prevent human casualties and minimize property damage as tropical storm “Wipha” is expected to enter the country this week, a Palace official said on Sunday.
“According to PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), nakalabas na po sa Philippine area of responsibility ‘yung bagyong ‘Santi’, ngunit may isa pa rin po silang binabantayan na tropical storm na ang international name naman ay Wipha,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview aired over government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan DzRB on Sunday.
Valte said the government is stepping up its disaster readiness and response programs to address the needs of the communities to be affected by “Wipha.”
She also said that government agencies continue implementing contingency measures to help mitigate the impact of typhoon “Santi.”
“Unfortunately, meron po tayong mga casualties dahil po sa pananalasa ng bagyong ‘Santi’, at nakikiramay po tayo doon sa mga naiwan nitong 13 indibidwal na naging casualty po nitong bagyong ito,” she said.
“At dahil na rin daw po doon sa mga bumagsak na puno, meron din daw pong mga biktima ng electrocution, meron naman pong nasawi sa mga mudslide, at meron daw pong ilang nasawi din sa mga collapsed structure,” Valte said.
She said the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) continues to assess the damages brought by “Santi.”
“Ang total affected population po sa bilang ng NDRRMC ay tumatayo sa 46,295 families or 219,591 persons, apektado po ‘yan sa 282 barangays, in 42 municipalities, in 11 provinces scattered among Regions I, II, III, and IV-A,” she said.
“Meron pa rin tayong mga stranded na pasahero at humihingi din po kami ng kanilang pang-unawa dahil hindi pa natin hahayaan muna ang paglalayag hangga’t hindi ho kini-clear ng Coast Guard,” Valte said.
The government has already deployed personnel to help address power supply interruptions in the affected areas.
“Meron naman din po tayong mga tally ng mga affected roads and bridges… at nananatiling naka-red alert ang NDRRMC natin, at patuloy ang pakikipag-trabaho sa mga local at mga provincial na DRRMC para kung ano pang tulong ang kailangan nila mula sa pambansang pamahalaan,” she said.