GMA orders AFP to conduct 'air drops of food' for flood victims

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo ordered yesterday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to immediately conduct “air drops” of food and other supplies to roof tops as rescuers on boats and trucks were slow.

The President also ordered authorities to maintain high alert levels and appealed to the public to remain prepared, as there is a possibility that another devastating typhoon could slam into the country in the next several days.

Mrs. Arroyo issued the directive during her meeting with members of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Camp Aguinaldo at 2 p.m. yesterday.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration head Dr. Prisco Nilo warned during the meeting that a “cloud cluster” was detected over the Pacific Ocean area that “has the potential to develop into a low-pressure area and possibly to another tropical storm.”

Nilo said the possibility that another storm would be coming could be ascertained in the next four to five days.

“There will be no bringing down of alert levels in the next four days,” Mrs. Arroyo, wearing a black raincoat and rubber boots, told the meeting.

Some units of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police in Luzon are on red alert while Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said all staff in the government hospitals in affected areas are on “blue alert” or on 24-hour duty.

Nilo warned that there could be a high risk of floods and landslides if there would be another heavy and prolonged rainfall as the soil has been saturated with water from previous rains.

Before presiding over the NDCC meeting on Saturday night, Mrs. Arroyo waded through the flood near Malacañang and inspected the scene, aides said. She walked about a kilometer, soaking wet to the LRT station in Legarda St. and rode the train to Quezon City.

She boarded an Army six-by-six truck and helped some stranded passengers into the truck.

Presidential Security Group chief Col. Jonas Sumagaysay said she stayed at the NDCC headquarters until 5 a.m. dispatching rescuers to areas she monitored on radio and television that had families on roof tops.

After the meeting, Mrs. Arroyo boarded a small bus along with some Cabinet officials to Cainta and Pasig, which remained submerged in floodwater.

She is expected to visit flood-stricken areas in Pampanga today.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the LRT and the MRT will continue its 24-hour operations, charging a flat rate of P10 per ride to help commuters who have been stranded in the last two days.

Mrs. Arroyo commended the authorities for the swift response considering the volume of rain dumped by “Ondoy” was greater than that of Katrina.

Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul claimed the relatively low number of casualties was due to his agency’s early warning given to the public last Sept. 24.

He, however, said despite the preparedness of the agencies, the “system” was overwhelmed due to the unexpected volume of rainfall.

Yumul said the national governments of the US and Taiwan took days to intervene that led to devastation brought by Katrina and “Morakot,” respectively.

“This is more critical, when it came to response time, it took them (US and Taiwan) days,” he said.

He said the NDCC responded “first thing in the morning.”

Mrs. Arroyo assured the public that all efforts are being done to help the typhoon victims.

She said Pagasa reported that Ondoy was to leave the Philippine area of responsibility last night.

“Ondoy was a once in a lifetime typhoon, an extreme event whose record rainfall strained our response capabilities to the limit but ultimately did not break us,” she said.

She directed Trade Secretary Peter Favila to ensure a steady supply of foodstuffs and other essentials at reasonable prices to consumers.

She also directed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to secure the availability of gasoline, LPG, and similar products under normal terms.