Personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are currently on standby for dispatch for any emergencies caused by Typhoon “Ulysses,” MMDA Chairman Danilo “Danny” Lim said on Wednesday (November 11).
The agency said its emergency vehicles are now stationed at strategic locations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
He said their personnel are ready to render aid in road clearing, rescue and quick response, traffic management, and other operations to different areas in the metropolis.
“We have placed our personnel on red alert status to ensure that urgent needs are addressed and responded to amid the challenges of typhoon Ulysses and Coronavirus disease 2019,” Lim, who is concurrent chair of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said.
According to him, the designated frontline personnel come from Public Safety Division, Road Emergency Group, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, Traffic Engineering Center, Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, Traffic Discipline Office, Rescue Battalion, Metro Manila Emergency Volunteer Corps.
The agency said ambulances, rubber boats, truck-mounted cranes, backhoes, water pumps, and rescue equipment will be quickly deployed to various areas in NCR if needed.
“We need to be prepared for any eventuality. We have coordinated with local disaster risk reduction and management councils in Metro Manila concerning the implementation of disaster preparedness measures in their localities for the safety of the public,” the MMDA chairman said.
Metropolitan Public Safety Office (MPSO) is currently monitoring the movement of Typhoon Ulysses and possible flash floods that may result from torrential rains at the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center (MMC-MMC) located at the MMDA Command Center (Metrobase).
The agency noted that Quezon City and Manila City have the most number of flood-prone areas in Metro Manila.
MMDA said all the 64 pumping stations in Metro Manila are all operational in order for flood water to subside easily.
Earlier this day, MMDA halted indefinitely the operations of the Pasig River Ferry Service due to the threat of the typhoon.