The City Council of Manila passed Resolution No. 494, Series of 2024, in a special session on Thursday, June 25, declaring the City of Manila under a state of calamity due to Super Typhoon Carina.
The resolution allows the release of the calamity funds for humanitarian support and disaster relief.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan also issued a series of directives and conducted measures to address the problems brought about by continuous heavy rains in the city.
After Lacuna-Pangan suspended all classes in all levels as well as work in all units of the city government on June 24, she led the concerned local government officials in doing the rounds of the city.
She personally checked the situation in flood-prone portions, the evacuation of families in affected areas and the updates on the city's response measures put in place.
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DDRMO) headed by Arnel Angeles, Department of Scial Welfare Department under Re Fugoso, Manila Health Department headed by Dr. Arnold Pangan and all city-run hospitals in the six districts of Manila have been mobilized in view of the situation at hand.
The local chief executive had been continuously monitoring the situation in Manila and already deployed all concerned units of the local government to conduct the necessary monitoring, rescue operations, emergency response, traffic control and clean-up operations all throughout the city.
The Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) and the MDRRMO were also tasked to monitor all areas affected by flooding while Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) head Engineer Andres and City Electrician's Office chief Engineer Randy Sadac were tasked with checking for any affected electrical wirings and posts, as well as fallen structures and trees.
The mayor assured the residents that the updates on rescue and evacuation operations will be provided promptly and constantly.
As of this writing, 44 evacuation centers have been designated as temporary evacuation sites in schools and covered courts in Manila for those affected by the floods.
The Manila Police District (MPD) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are also actively monitoring and assisting in evacuation efforts.
All hospitals in the city are on code white, with medications for prophylaxis against leptospirosis readily available.
Meanwhile, the mayor also announced the reopening of Lagusnilad vehicular underpass in Manila after undergoing pumping operations due flooding.
Authorities said the underpass was reopened to motorists at around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25.