Metro mayors on alert for monsoon’s onslaught

MANILA, Philippines — Mayors in the National Capital Region are on heightened alert and are closely coordinating with the Metro Manila Council as monsoon rains continue to deluge the metropolis, MMC president and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said yesterday.

In a phone interview with The STAR, Zamora said all 17 local chief executives are monitoring the situation in their respective cities while updating each other through a Viber group, which also includes Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes.

“All of us know what to do during situations like this,” Zamora said. “We’re making sure that all protocols are followed – pumping stations are operational, emergency responders are deployed. We’re ready for necessary actions. There is constant communication among the mayors.”

Zamora said Metro Manila mayors are prepared to implement forced evacuations and provide immediate assistance to residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

He said the local chief executives are coordinating to ensure that each city is implementing disaster response measures efficiently.

Zamora said the San Juan government had implemented forced evacuations since Monday night to ensure the safety of residents.

He said affected families were taken to evacuation centers where hot meals and food boxes were distributed.

“We have some flooded areas, but the water is receding,” Zamora said. “Compared to Typhoon Carina last year, this is less intense, but still heavier than usual monsoon rains. There’s no storm, but the southwest monsoon brought prolonged rains.”

Zamora underscored the importance of preemptive evacuations, saying it becomes more dangerous and difficult to rescue people once floodwaters rise.