Mar to fly to Eastern Samar for 'Ruby' preps

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas will fly to Borongan, Eastern Samar on Friday to help ensure that local government units (LGUs) are prepared when Super Typhoon Ruby makes landfall.

As vice chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Roxas will personally help coordinate the preparations of Eastern Samar's local chief executives, whom he dubbed as "first responders" in times of disaster.

Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council briefing held on Thursday, Eastern Samar is going to be first among the provinces to be affected by Ruby.

"Over 50 out of 80 provinces will be affected. We have alerted 995 municipalities and 85 cities in these areas," Roxas said.

State-run weather bureau Pagasa reported that there will be heavy rainfall in Northern Leyte and Eastern Samar, as well as storm surges as high as three to four meters or as high as a one-storey house.

As such, mayors were given preliminary instructions via calls, texts and memos about the minimum critical preparations that must be put in place.

Roxas also reported that the DILG will coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology , Office of Civil Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the immediate evacuation of residents in high risk areas.

He also said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now on heightened alert, and the leaves of its personnel in areas to be affected by the typhoon have all been cancelled.

Roxas has directed the PNP to secure commercial areas to preempt disorder and looting.