Government agencies ready to respond to Typhoon
Santi devastation, says Malacanang
Government agencies continue to deploy equipment
and personnel as a response to the effects of Typhoon Santi in Luzon,
Malacanang said on Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in an interview on Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has been on red alert since
yesterday as Typhoon Santi affects Luzon.
“Patuloy ang pag-deploy natin ng equipment at
saka ng personnel para doon sa mga local government na apektado,” Valte said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has
also prepositioned personnel and its equipment has been on standby in different
locations, she said.
These include 9th Infantry Division of the
Philippine Army. The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) is also on high alert
since yesterday, she said.
Naval Forces in Northern Luzon under NOLCOM is
also ready and there are three teams on standby to respond to people who will
need assistance, Valte said.
“‘Ang 7th Infantry Division nila in particular
has directed the 56th Infantry Battalion covering Aurora to prepare for any
eventuality and to respond and help the LGU should the need arise,” she noted.
“Nakahanda na ang assistance para sa mga search
and rescue teams natin sa local level at nakahanda na ang ating mga kasamahan
sa AFP.”
The Department of Social Welfare Development
(DSWD) has already released an update on the situation in areas affected by Typhoon
Santi.
In Region 3, the areas covered by Field Office 3
such as Aurora, the DSWD reported that 19 barangays with a total of 554
families are affected there.
In Nueva Ecija there are three barangays and in
Isabela, another three barangays. The DSWD has opened evacuation centers
serving 539 families or 2,104 persons, Valte said referring to the DSWD report.
Valte also said some 11 houses were reported
damaged in Nueva Ecija. In Sual, Pangasinan, preemptive evacuations were
carried out for the families affected by the weather disturbance. PND (as)
