Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr on his 5th SONA. Photo courtesy of PCO.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to coordinate disaster response operations and protect communities affected by Tropical Depression Maymay, Malacañang said Thursday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had been placed on full alert in compliance with the President’s directive.
Authorities were also instructed to conduct strict preemptive evacuations in flood-prone, landslide-prone and coastal communities.
In Metro Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority rescue personnel and equipment remained on standby while coordinating with local disaster offices and the region’s 17 local governments.
Castro said all 73 pumping stations were operational and mobile pumps were ready for deployment. Preemptive pumping was also underway to increase the capacity of waterways and drainage systems.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development had allocated Php 1.8 million in humanitarian assistance and distributed food packs, ready-to-eat meals and sleeping kits in several affected areas.
The Palace said more than 5 million family food packs had been prepared, while over Php 1.6 billion in standby funds remained available nationwide.
As of 11 a.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained in effect over parts of Northern and Central Luzon as Maymay weakened. The cyclone was last located near Tanudan, Kalinga, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour.
Pagasa said Maymay could leave the Philippine landmass by Thursday afternoon or evening before weakening into a low pressure area.
