By Argyll Geducos
Malacañang said physical distancing will be implemented on a "per family basis" in evacuation centers in areas where Typhoon Ambo is expected to make landfall.
Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the country braces for the first typhoon to hit the country this year while preventing the further spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In his Thursday press briefing, Roque assured the public that the government is in full force despite the importance given to stopping the spread of the disease.
"In full force po ang ating Oplan Listo, ito po ay paghahanda sa paparating na bagyo dito sa mga lugar habang hinaharap pa rin naitn 'tong COVID-19 na problema "Oplan Listo is in full force in preparing for the typhoon while we are facing the problem that is COVID-19)," he said.
Roque said the government is ready to help and ready to implement physical distancing measures to those who will be affected by the typhoon in case they have to be brought to evacuation centers.
"Sapat-sapat na po ang ating mga relief goods, handa na po ang ating mga evacuation centers, at ipapatupad po ang (We have enough relief goods. Our evacuation centers are ready and we will implement) social distancing on a per-family basis," he said.
"'Yan naman po ay pinaghandaan na ng mga otoridad at sanay na naman po tayo pagdating sa contingencies na dahil sa mga bagyo (The authorities are prepared for it as we are used to contingencies during typhoons)," he added.
State weather bureau PAGASA reported that Typhoon Ambo made landfall over San Policarpio, Eastern Samar at 12:15 p.m. Thursday with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph with 185 kph gust.
Northern Samar's chief disaster officer Josh Echano earlier said that some 400,000 people are expected to flee from landslide and flood-prone areas in the province to unused facilities intended for COVID-19 patients.
Earlier, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said physical distancing should still be observed even in evacuation centers to halt the spread of COVID-19.