THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said over 3,000 families or 11,000 people have been evacuated ahead of Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco), which pummeled parts of Bicol Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
A total of 818 search and rescue personnel have been deployed in the path of the typhoon along with the needed equipment.
MalacaƱang earlier suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels beginning 3 p.m. Wednesday in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Cordillera Administrative Region and National Capital Region.
Both the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) alerted all its concerned units for the conduct of disaster response operations.
"Personnel and equipment of Southern Luzon Command, Northern Luzon Command, and JTF (Joint Task Force) National Capital Region down to the battalion level are already prepositioned in safe locations. Coordination with other LGUs (local government units) are also in earnest including NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) and its local counterparts to ensure their immediate response as soon as the storm passes," AFP Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay said in a statement.
He said search-and-rescue units along with their mobility assets were working round the clock for the conduct of evacuation of the families in the affected areas especially those living in coastal and low-lying areas.
Gapay said AFP disaster response units in Luzon and parts of Visayas have remained on high alert since the onslaught of Typhoon Quinta on October 25 and Rolly on November 1.
For his part, newly assumed PNP Chief Debold Sinas said he has ordered the activation of the police units for disaster response particularly in southern Luzon in anticipation of the effects of the weather disturbance.
They have prepositioned disaster response personnel, equipment, and resources in perennial geohazard areas prone to flooding and landslides to implement forced evacuation of communities in these areas in coordination with LGUs and other agencies.
Local units were also directed to provide assistance and security to evacuation centers and temporary shelters put up by LGU and disaster risk reduction and management office authorities where PNP Food Bank resources will also be prepositioned. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)