STATE OF CALAMITY DECLARED IN MALABON
MANILA, December 3, 2004 (STAR) By Pete Laude - Malabon City Mayor Tito Oreta placed his city yesterday under a state of calamity in anticipation of a possible disaster that super Typhoon Yoyong may bring to the flood-prone locality.
Rommel Comilla, administrative officer from the Mayor’s Office said the declaration was made at around 4 p.m. after the mayor convened an emergency session with the City Council at City Hall.
He said a resolution was immediately passed by the City Council after it was learned that Typhoon Signal No. 2 was raised in the Metro Manila area.
Last Wednesday, the mayor also created a local unit known as Organized Rescue Enhancement Team Agency (ORETA) tasked to monitor typhoon related emergencies and conduct rescue operations if the need arises, Allan Encarnacion, Oreta’s public information officer, said.
Encarnacion added that work was suspended yesterday afternoon to send home City Hall employees that could be affected by flashfloods and the high tide that hit the city at 12 noon.
But he added that the public safety office, the engineering department, environmental and social services office, the city health department, particularly the local disaster coordinating council, would be rendering 24-hour service due to the typhoon.
Encarnacion said at least six speed boats from the city police, two rubber boats from the Philippine Coast Guard, several dump trucks from the local government as well as evacuation centers were in place in case the need arises.
He added that the local Department of Social Welfare and Development has also readied ample food supplies for affected residents.
Of Malabon City’s 21 barangays, at least seven are considered disaster areas during heavy rains as they are situated in low-lying areas. These are Barangays Tinajeros, Dampalit, Panghulo, Longos, Niugan and Maysilo.
In Navotas, as of noon yesterday, Superintendent Genesis Tolejano, the town’s police chief, called on some 10,000 residents living near the seashore to immediately vacate their houses at the onset of heavy rains.
Tolejano said Mayor Toby Tiangco has prepared at least 17 evacuation centers to accommodate affected residents.
In Quezon City, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. convened the city disaster coordinating council to respond to any emergency.
Manuel Sabalza, chief of the Department of Public Order and Safety, said the mayor has activated Task Force Yoyong that will be on watch 24 hours for any emergency situation in the city.
The task force, which is composed of all city departments, has set up headquarters at City Hall with all the necessary vehicles, equipment, medicine and relief goods.
Sabalza said the Central Police District was also mobilized to provide security for any rescue and relief operations while the city health department and Sagip Buhay has provided standby ambulances packed with essential medicines.
The Department of Social Services has readied relief goods for distribution to possible victims.
Belmonte also directed city schools officials to make school buildings ready for evacuation of affected residents.
Sabalza, who is also the disaster preparedness action officer, said the city government has coordinated with other national government agencies including the National Red Cross and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Coast Guard.
In Manila, Mayor Lito Atienza ordered the Manila Disaster Coordinating Council headed by city administrator Dino Nable to activate its disaster operations center at City Hall.
The disaster operations center will operate around the clock until the situation in the city normalizes.
Key local government agencies, including barangays, as well as the Western Police District and the Manila Fire Department are also prepared to conduct rescue, relief and clearing operations in Areas in Manila that would be affected by Yoyong.
Tasked to take the lead in the rescue and relief operations are the Manila Social Welfare Department, WPD, the Manila Fire Department and barangay authorities.
Atienza also ordered that residents of coastal and low-lying areas in Manila such as Baseco, Happyland, Parola and Isla Puting Bato in Tondo be evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Several sports complexes, covered courts and public schools would be used as evacuation centers and are already being stocked with relief goods and medical supplies and medicines for evacuees.
The city government’s health cluster composed of the Manila Health Department and the four city-owned hospitals have also prepared for an expected rise in gastrointestinal and upper respiratory ailments. Hospitals are already stocking up on mineral water and hydration tablets for diarrhea cases and medicines for cough, colds and flu.
In Pasay City, Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad spent the Pasay Day holiday directing all units of the Pasay Disaster Coordinating Council to be on standby in preparation for Yoyong.
Dec. 2 marks the founding anniversary of the city of Pasay. This year’s celebration is the 141st foundation day celebration.
In his directive, Trinidad ordered the rescue teams to be on alert. Vital departments are on standby to attend to urgent needs of city residents who will be affected by the typhoon.
In Taguig, Mayor Freddie Tinga called on his constituents residing in low lying areas to evacuate in anticipation of floods that may be caused by super Typhoon Yoyong as it hits Metro Manila.
The Taguig Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council has readied evacuation centers where residents from specified areas in 15 of the 18 barangays identified to be prone to flooding may evacuate.– With Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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