Still reeling from Super Typhoon "Rolly" two weeks ago, residents in northern Luzon were cautioned by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Friday against possible landslides that may occur in elevated areas due to severe tropical storm "Siony."
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said local chief executives in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), and Cagayan Valley (Region 2) were already told to implement the necessary precautionary measures to mitigate the effects of Siony.
"Dahil sa malalakas na ulan na pwedeng dulot nitong si bagyong Siony ay posible 'yung mga landslides ay mangyari doon sa matataas na lugar (Because of the strong rains that will be brought by typhoon Siony, landslides are possible in high areas)," Jalad said.
"'Yung mga kalupaan natin ay saturated na, posible 'yung mabilis na landslide na mangyari. Huwag naman sana mangyari pero nakahanda 'yung ating iba't-ibang ahensya ng sangay ng gobyerno upang respondehan itong epekto nitong si severe tropical storm Siony (The soil in these areas are alsready saturatedso landslides are really possible. We wish it won't happen but the different government agencies are ready to respond to the effects of severe tropical storm Siony)," he added.
Jalad said the local government and disaster preparedness officials in the three regions participated in the NDRRMC's pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meetings earlier this week where they discussed plans to avoid any casualty. Among these was the issuance of a guidance on the stoppage of mining, tourism, and quarrying activities.
He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has already issued advisories to the local government units (LDUs) in these regions to observe the protocols under Operation "Listo," including the enforcement of pre-emptive evacuation in elevated areas.
The regional DRRMC in Cordillera region reported that pre-emptive evacuation in flood- and landslide-prone areas in the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, and Benguet were already implemented.
While pre-emptive evacuation is expected, Jalad said uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the affected regions were alerted for search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also prepositioned family food packs and other relief items for those who will be affected by the typhoon, he noted.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) readied its personnel for field deployment to immediately repair infrastructures that will be damaged by typhoon Siony while other government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) were also preparing for early recovery interventions, Jalad assured.
As of 10 a.m., the center of severe tropical storm Siony was located at 50 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
'Rolly' death toll
Meanwhile, the death tally for super typhoon Rolly has already reached 22, according to the latest situational report of the NDRRMC.
Of these, 19 were recorded in Bicol Region while three were noted in Calabarzon.
The fatalities in Bicol Region were from Albay (13), Catanduanes (5), and Camarines Sur (1). On the other hand, all three fatalities in Calabarzon were listed in Batangas.
A casualty which was earlier reported in Rizal province was omitted from the NDRRMC list.
"Inalis na po ang Rizal province fatality kasi na-determine na hindi po related kay ST Rolly 'yung circumstance of death (The fatality in Rizal province was removed because it was determined that the cause of death was not related to Super Typhoon Rolly)," said NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal.
He did not provide further information.
Relief missions
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said all available assets of the military were committed by the Armed Forces for relief missions in Rolly-hit areas, especially in Catanduanes.
Lorenzana, in a Cabinet meeting with President Duterte on Thursday night, said relief missions in Catanduanes have already started as food packs, water, medicines, and other relief assistance were flown via a C-130 transport aircraft.
Two heavy-lift C-130s and four C-295 medium transport aircraft were also placed on standby for the transport of more relief supplies, Lorenzana told Duterte.
Personnel from the Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) have coordinated with the DPWH and Department of Energy (DOE) for the repair of damaged roads and electrical facilities.