PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a whole-of-government response as Super Typhoon Bavi approached the country, Malacañang said on Monday.
Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said frontline government agencies led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) were directed to conduct pre-disaster risk assessment scenario meetings, and implement the widest alert warning and information campaign across all channels and platforms.
The agencies were also likewise ordered to implement preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas, secure safe evacuation centers and set up livestock equipment zones, and preposition rescue teams, relief goods, and essential supplies.
They must also identify alternate routes, enforce sea travel bans and inspect critical infrastructure, provide early assistance to vulnerable sectors, and monitor public health risks like flood-related diseases.
Bavi was projected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either on Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.
It was moving west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gusts of up to 265 kph.
The super typhoon would be named “Inday” once it enters PAR.
It will not likely make landfall, but it could enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat and bring significant rain until the weekend.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency has placed its disaster response units on full alert ahead of Inday.
"We have already mobilized our field offices to monitor the situation and secure the safety lines for relief delivery, and while the DSWD is always prepared for disasters, we continue to strengthen our readiness because we no longer wait for calamities to strike before taking action," Dumlao said.
As of July 6, the DSWD has prepositioned 4.775 million family food packs nationwide valued at more than P3 billion, according to the latest Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) report.
The agency also maintains 364,283 ready-to-eat food boxes and 271,446 non-food items for immediate distribution to affected families and communities.
The DSWD’s Luzon Disaster Response Center in Pasay City and Visayas Disaster Response Center in Mandaue City continue to stockpile emergency food aid, Dumlao said. WITH MOISES CRUZ