Government quick response programs are in place,
says Palace, as another tropical storm is expected this week
Malacanang assured the public that quick
response programs are already in place in order to prevent human casualties and
minimize property damage as tropical storm "Wipha" is expected to
enter the country this week, a Palace official said on Sunday.
"According to PAGASA (Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), nakalabas
na po sa Philippine area of responsibility ‘yung bagyong ‘Santi’, ngunit may
isa pa rin po silang binabantayan na tropical storm na ang international name
naman ay Wipha," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an
interview aired over government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan DzRB on
Sunday.
Valte said the government is stepping up its
disaster readiness and response programs to address the needs of the
communities to be affected by "Wipha."
She also said that government agencies continue
implementing contingency measures to help mitigate the impact of typhoon
"Santi."
"Unfortunately, meron po tayong mga
casualties dahil po sa pananalasa ng bagyong ‘Santi’, at nakikiramay po tayo
doon sa mga naiwan nitong 13 indibidwal na naging casualty po nitong bagyong
ito," she said.
"At dahil na rin daw po doon sa mga
bumagsak na puno, meron din daw pong mga biktima ng electrocution, meron naman
pong nasawi sa mga mudslide, at meron daw pong ilang nasawi din sa mga
collapsed structure," Valte said.
She said the National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council (NDRRMC) continues to assess the damages brought by
"Santi."
"Ang total affected population po sa bilang
ng NDRRMC ay tumatayo sa 46,295 families or 219,591 persons, apektado po ‘yan
sa 282 barangays, in 42 municipalities, in 11 provinces scattered among Regions
I, II, III, and IV-A," she said.
"Meron pa rin tayong mga stranded na pasahero
at humihingi din po kami ng kanilang pang-unawa dahil hindi pa natin hahayaan
muna ang paglalayag hangga’t hindi ho kini-clear ng Coast Guard," Valte
said.
The government has already deployed personnel to
help address power supply interruptions in the affected areas.
"Meron naman din po tayong mga tally ng mga
affected roads and bridges... at nananatiling naka-red alert ang NDRRMC natin,
at patuloy ang pakikipag-trabaho sa mga local at mga provincial na DRRMC para
kung ano pang tulong ang kailangan nila mula sa pambansang pamahalaan,"
she said. PND (js)
Strict enforcement of Comelec gun ban by
Philippine National Police to ensure free, orderly, credible Barangay Elections
Malacanang assured that the Philippine National
Police (PNP) is strictly enforcing Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban in
ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible Barangay Elections on
October 28.
In an interview aired over government-run radio
station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte warned the public to strictly adhere to Comelec regulation following
reports that several people have been arrested by the PNP for gun ban
violation.
"Ang importante naman sa ating PNP ay
ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pagpapatrolya at pag-e-establish ng mga checkpoint, in
coordination with the COMELEC, para ma-implement nang maayos itong gun
ban," Valte said.
The 45-day ban on carrying firearms and
employing security personnel in public officially started September 28, the
start of the election period.
"Pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 9715
which prescribed the calendar of activities and period of prohibited acts in
connection with the October 28, 2013 Barangay Elections, a gun ban will be
imposed beginning September 28, 2013 until November 12, 2013," according
to the official website of the Comelec.
The election period is 30 days before the date
of the elections and 15 days after.
The filing of candidacy starts on October 15
until October 17.
The violation of the ban on carrying firearms
and employing security personnel carry a fine of one to six years imprisonment,
permanent disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right
to vote.
Comelec Resolution No. 9735 provides the gun
owners who were given exemption during the May 13 elections will enjoy the
privilege of carrying their guns outside of their residence during the conduct
of the barangay elections without renewing their permits.
However, the resolution provides that
"approved applications for employment/availment/engagement of security
personnel/agencies during the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections will be
subjected to renewal for purposes of the October 28, 2013 Barangay
Elections." PND (js)
