Uncertainty casts shadow on gov’t preparation for Typhoon ‘Marce’


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NDRRMC Chairman and DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (front, middle) leads a a preparedness meeting involving national government agencies at the NDRRMC Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Nov. 5, 2024 as they prepare for the possible impact of Typhoon Marce. (Photo: Office of Civil Defense)

The national government is preparing for the potential impact of Typhoon “Marce” even as it juggles relief and recovery operations in areas devastated by the recent Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” and Super Typhoon “Leon”.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) convened on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the NDRRMC Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to coordinate the government’s response as Marce was last located 590 km east of Baler, Aurora as of 11 a.m.

NDRRMC Chairman and Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the meeting which focused on several critical agenda items, including a weather update covering current conditions and the La Niña outlook, dam updates regarding status and safety measures, and an assessment of flood and landslide susceptibility to identify at-risk areas and discuss mitigation strategies. 

“What we need to remember is that Typhoon Marce has a ‘cone of uncertainty’. This means that it might change its course while its predicted strength might also be different with what we are expecting,” Teodoro said in a press conference.

Safety measures and actions taken by Ilocos Region (Region 1) and Cagayan Valley (Region 2), which are seen to be affected by Marce, were addressed in the meeting, emphasizing preparedness in those areas.

Insights and forecasts from predictive analytics were also discussed, along with an overview of the national likely scenario to understand potential impacts and specific regional assessments.

“I have directed the regional (OCD) directors to filter the information coming from PAGASA [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] and MGB [Mines and Geosciences Bureau] in terms of areas that will be flood- and landslide-prone,” Teodoro said.

“Then, do the necessary estimates, whether or not there is a need for a forced evacuation. My instruction to them is to not be afraid when it comes to making estimations or best judgments just as long as they err on the side of safety,” he noted.

PAGASA has projected a possible landfall on the Babuyan Islands or the northern portion of mainland Cagayan by Thursday evening, Nov. 7, or early Friday morning, Nov. 8. 

Heavy rainfall is expected in several provinces, including Cagayan, Batanes, Apayao, and Isabela, with the Cagayan region particularly at risk for intense torrential rain of up to 200mm. The weather system is moving northwestward at 25 km/h and is anticipated to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday evening or early Saturday morning. 

Residents in Isabela, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, and Mountain Province should prepare for moderate to heavy rainfall in the coming days, the PAGASA said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilized significant resources, preparing a national stockpile with a total of 1,351,815 Family Food Packs (FFPs) ready for distribution to affected communities. 

Teodoro emphasized the importance of immediate relief distribution and encouraged the Commission on Audit (COA) to be actively involved in the audit process to ensure transparency. 

He also highlighted that readily available resources and materials should be utilized to make predictions that can save lives and mitigate critical economic damages.

The NDRRMC urges residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public that it is ready to respond in case there is a need for rescue operations.

AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. said 305 search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) teams were prepositioned in Northern Luzon in anticipation of Marce.

“We also placed on standby our airlift capabilities. We have C-130s that are available to transport relief goods and non-food items. We have seven Black Hawk helicopters. Right now, we have two ships from the Philippine Navy that are loading food and non-food items in Subic which will be delivered to Basco, Batanes for prepositioning,” Brawner said.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the DSWD, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

P1.19 billion worth of aid

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said that relief operations continue in areas affected by Kristine and Leon in Bicol Region (Region 5) and Northern Luzon.

A total of P1.19 billion worth of relief assistance has distributed to the affected families.

Around 8.8 million individuals were affected by the two weather disturbances, and the death toll increased to 151.

The damage to infrastructure was estimated at P8.24 billion while agricultural loss was pegged at P5.91 billion. 

PAF, Indonesia relief ops in Bicol

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces airlifted additional family food packs to the remote Islands of Calaguas in Camarines Norte and Butawanan Island in Camarines Sur on Nov. 4.

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A civilian volunteer helps Indonesian National Armed Forces personnel in unloading relief goods in Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte on Nov. 4, 2024. (Photo: Philippine Air Force)

Additionally, a PAF C-130 aircraft transported further essential supplies to Naga Airport, which serves as a vital distribution hub for the ongoing relief efforts in Kristine-affected areas.

“This humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation highlights the collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia in delivering timely assistance and reflects both nations' commitment to humanitarian service,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.