NDRRC ready for flooding

MANILA, Philippines - The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council (NDRRC) said it is ready in case there will be a repeat of tropical storm “Ondoy” which hit Metro Manila and other areas on Sept. 26, 2009.

“Having learned our lessons, we are more prepared than ever, as long as the typhoon does not have twice the strength of Ondoy,” NDRRC executive director retired Army Gen. Benito Ramos told reporters last Wednesday.

Ramos said in Metro Manila alone, the NDRRC, through its 39 attached agencies, has already prepared and identified 244 evacuation centers.

On top of this, they have also mapped out plans, such as the issuance of a three- to five-hour warning using state-of-the art communications equipment including satellite Internet, satellite phones, battery and solar-powered computers, fax machines, printers and portable cell sites donated by the European Commission and the United Nations.

Ramos said these equipment have been positioned in various regions, together with enough supply of food and medicine.

Disaster personnel of the military and police will also be tapped, Ramos said.

“Our anti-disaster capability last year in terms of equipment has been increased to about 40 percent. Before, we were virtually overwhelmed by the extraordinary effects of Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi,” Ramos said, referring to the two other typhoons that struck the Philippines last year.

The latest weather disturbance monitored within the country’s area of responsibility was typhoon “Inday.” But instead of heading towards Luzon, it veered upward and pummeled Taiwan instead.

“While this is the current weather trend, we should brace for the worst, especially during the month of October when strong typhoons usually hit the country,” Ramos said.

NDRRC records showed that 990 persons were killed, 756 injured and 89 went missing during the onslaught of Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi in 2009.

More than 300,0000 houses were damaged by the three weather disturbances.