Junjun Binay convenes Makati disaster council for 'Chedeng'

MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay on Wednesday convened the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to prepare the city for the landfall of typhoon "Chedeng."

Chedeng is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday and hit Luzon. 

Binay ordered an immediate inventory of existing equipment, facilities and supplies that would be needed when Chedeng affects the country.

Binay also ordered the city's C3, or command center, to regularly update the council members on developments about the typhoon.

"We are already aware that Chedeng has transformed into a super typhoon. We should therefore prepare for the worst case scenario and make the necessary emergency purchases," Binay said.

Binay also ordered the creation of a command post at the ground floor of the Makati City Hall Building 2 where computer workstations will be installed, and where members of the council will hold office during the monitoring phase of Chedeng's arrival.

He also instructed the Liga ng mga Barangay to notify barangay captains to immediately prepare their evacuation centers and inform residents to get ready for the typhoon.

Attending the MDRRMC meeting were Makati City Councilors Marie Alethea Casal-Uy (city council spokesperson) and Israel Cruzado (committee chair on DRRM), Acting City Administrator Vissia Marie Aldon, DRRM senior consultant Atty. Violeta Seva, and members of the council from offices and departments of the city government and national agencies.

As part of the preparations, supplies and vehicles will be positioned at the city hall grounds, together with water refilling and water treatment facilities.

Binay reminded the concerned offices to check the current status of fuel supply, including that of gasoline stations, where the city government has an agreement for emergency purchases.

The social welfare agency reported that at present, there are pre-packed goods ready for distribution to 7,900 families. The stock goods in its storage facility that can be repacked are sufficient for 20,000 or more families.

The city government will also attend the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emergency meeting at 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority office in Makati to discuss Chedeng's status and arrival, as well as preparations.

Makati residents may call emergency 168 for any inquiries and assistance needed. Other PLDT telephone nos. connected with 168 that may be contacted even by those outside Makati are 870-1920, 870-1923, 870-1926, and 870-1929.

Information can also be accessed at @MakatiInfo, @MakatiTraffic and MyMakati Twitter Account.