The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is mapping its next steps to carry out relief operations in areas hit by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Northern Luzon amid the threat of rains brough by habagat (southwest monsoon) and enhanced by tropical depression “Ester.”
NDRRMC Chairperson Jose Faustino Jr. convened members of the Council on Saturday, July 30, for this specific reason.
According to NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal, Faustino gave additional guidance on the relief operations being undertaken in Abra – the epicenter of the earthquake – and other badly-affected areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), and Cagayan Valley (Region 2).
LOOK: NDRRMC officials led by Chairperson Jose Faustino Jr. hold a meeting as Tropical Depression Ester lashes parts of the country on July 30, 2022. Details of the meeting yet to be disclosed. (: NDRRMC) | @MB_mrtnsdngdng pic.twitter.com/21hKQBmsGV
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) July 30, 2022
“Also discussed were preparations for the possible impact of rains to the earthquake-affected areas had been reminded to the DRRM councils and LGUs ,” Timbal told reporters.
Faustino specifically instructed DRRM offices in the affected regions to coordinate with the authorities to provide water supply augmentation in Bangued, the capital of Abra.
They were also told to anticipate and facilitate private sector / partner organization donations, and continue to coordinate and support LGUs to address the needs of the affected population.