Government conducts clearing operations on roads
affected by typhoon Vinta and extends help to displaced families
Concerned government agencies have already
mobilized their personnel for clearing operations on roads affected by typhoon
"Vinta" in some parts of Northern Philippines, a Palace official said
on Friday.
In a phone-patch interview with the media,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said necessary contingency
measures are now in place to mitigate the impact of the typhoon which was about
to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Friday afternoon.
Valte said the Department of Public Works and
Highways, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the local government units have
deployed their personnel to clear debris on the roads in Ilocos Norte.
"Ang projection po ng PAGASA (Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration) ay mamaya daw
pong hapon ay wala na ito sa Philippine Area of Responsibility, at sa katunayan
Signal Number 1 na lang po as of 10:45 a.m. this morning ang nakataas sa Ilocos
Norte, sa Apayao, sa Abra, at sa Ilocos Norte," Valte said.
Valte said the government, through various
concerned agencies, have already pre-positioned all available resources in
terms of manpower response teams, equipment, rescue assets, and relief goods.
"Ang report ng NDRRMC (National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council) ay wala naman daw pong confirmed
casualties reported as of 6 a.m. Ngunit meron po tayong kabuuan ng 113 families
or 382 persons na apektado sa dalawang municipality sa Region 2 at na-evacuate
naman sila sa Gonzaga People’s Gym at doon sa legislative building ng LGU, kung
saan naman sila kinakalinga nang mga kasamahan natin sa pamahalaang
lokal," Valte said. PND (js)
Government continues to monitor the observance
of 'Undas 2013,' Palace says
In line with the directive of President Benigno
S. Aquino III, the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues to monitor the
situation in Metro Manila and in the provinces to ensure the safety of people
during the observance of "Undas 2013," a Palace official said on
Friday.
In a phone-patch interview with the media,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said concerned government
agencies remain on heightened alert for the safety and orderly travel of
passengers.
According to Valte, the PNP has also mobilized
its personnel to ensure the safety of the people visiting the cemeteries
throughout the country.
Valte said the PNP reported that no untoward
incident has occurred in Metro Manila and in the provinces as of Friday.
"So far, smooth and peaceful naman ang
commemoration natin ng All Saints’ Day at ng All Souls’ Day. So far, okay po;
patuloy ang pagmo-monitor ng ating mga ahensiya at pagre-report po nila kay
Pangulong Aquino sa mga paggalaw dito sa ating bansa," Valte said.
President Aquino, along with other Cabinet
officials, inspected terminals and other transport hubs in Metro Manila on
Thursday.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
has deployed additional units to help ease the flow of traffic.
The Department of Transportation and
Communications has likewise launched OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2013, a
centralized plan to ensure access to convenient, affordable, reliable,
efficient, safe, and secure transportation that started during the 2013
Barangay Elections, and will continue until the All Saints Day and All Souls Day
holidays.
As part of OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2013, the
Civil Aeronautics Board is also conducting monitoring activities and has
installed help desks in all four NAIA terminals, along with Documentation and
Ground Assistance Roving Teams to address passenger concerns and verify the
status of flights. This is in tandem with CAAP’s increased frequency of
airworthiness inspections nationwide.
Air passengers may text 0917-TEXNAIA
(0917-8396242) for information on the status of flights. The riding public may
also call the DOTC Action Center Hotline at (02)789-0-DOTC for their concerns.
PND (js)
