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Saturday, November 24, 2007
Disaster agency ready for typhoon Mina
MANILA –- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday presided over a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) at Camp Aguinaldo to check on the preparations of attached agencies in connection with typhoon Mina, which is expected to make a land fall on Saturday.
“This is three times strong,” Arroyo said of Mina (international name: Mitag), comparing it to typhoon Lando, which left 14 people dead, 11 injured, and six missing.
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Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) director Prisco Nilo told the President during the meeting that Mina appears to have not moved “and we are really having difficulty tracking where it is going to eventually be heading.”
But Nilo said the projection stays that Bicol would be hit “because it is already very close to Bicol. In fact, it is already starting to affect Catanduanes and most parts of the Bicol region. The maximum wind is still 175 kms.”
NDCC executive officer Glenn Rabonza briefed the President on the preparations the NDCC is undertaking, including the evacuation of residents who are living in high-risk areas.
Rabonza said they have positioned P41 million worth of relief goods in the affected areas.
The National Transmission Commission (Transco) said it activated its contingency plans for the weather disturbance. Specifically, Transco line crews are on stand by for the possible repair of transmission and power lines that may be toppled by Mina.
The military also activated its Task Force Mina in Southern Luzon and in the Bicol region. Armed Forces Vice Chief Antonio Romero said the military has deployed its assets and personnel for the evacuation of people in the two regions.
In Metro Manila, National Capital Region Command Chief Fernando Mesa said he has activated his units Disaster Response Task Force.
He said the task force would be attending to any emergencies, specifically in the northern part of Metro Manila and Manila areas.
“We are ready for action,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando told the President. He said the MMDA’s flood pumps are ready for operation in case of flooding in the metropolis.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Admiral Danilo Abinoja reported that over 1,000 persons are stranded in sea ports as they suspended voyage in areas where the public storm signal No. 2 are prevailing.
He said the stranded passengers chose to remain at the ports because they live in far away areas.
The President later called governors in Bicol to check on their condition, particularly the evacuation.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said 32,000 families are already in evacuation centers. He said 95 percent of the residents in the lahar-prone areas are already in evacuation centers. (VR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (November 24, 2007 issue)
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