ANGELES CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has set up quick response stations which will handle clearing operations in Central Luzon during and after the onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Ompong is the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, who arrived here during heavy rains Friday night after visiting the Cordillera region, inspected the QRS established in Barangay Cuayan in this city.

VIllar said the establishment of the stations are part of the preparation for the damages caused by the typhoon.

The secretary also said that in Central Luzon, there are already 25 quick response stations with 111 heavy equipment deployed in critical areas prone to landslides, road slips or flooding.

“Prepared naman ang agency natin kaya gingawa po natin ang lahat para mapaghandaan natin ang anumang sakuna na maaaring idulot ng bagyo, pero di po tayo sigurado sa mga mangyayari.”

DPWH Regional Director of Central Luzon Roseller Tolentino said the stations are tasked to remove road blocks caused by falling trees and debris in case of landslides so that motorists can travel freely and conveniently.

Tolentino said the stations are provided with heavy equipment such as buldozzers, trucks, pay loaders and personnel to do the job.

Also present during the inspection of the Quick Response Station here are DPWH-Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director Loreta Malaluan; DPWH-Pampanga District Engineers Almer Miranda (1st DEO); Gregorio Audea (2nd DEO) and Tito Salvador (3rd DEO); Assitant District Engineers Lawrence Cruz (2nd DEO) and Arnold Ocampo (3rd DEO). (Chris Navarro)