The local government of Marikina on Thursday, Sept. 25, has deployed city boats to strategic and low-lying areas in preparation for severe tropical storm “Opong.”
Mayor Maan Teodoro called for a meeting with the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), and affirmed the city’s preparedness, with the Central Kitchen also ready for immediate food preparation.
The local government added that the City Health Office was placed on standby to respond to medical needs.
It also ensured that all equipment and personnel were ready to respond promptly and protect the safety of every Marikeño.
In addition, Teodoro announced that face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools in the city are suspended on Sept. 26 and 27 as a preventive measure.
The Marikina City Command Center is also on full alert 24/7 to ensure the safety of residents.
"Mula sa real-time monitoring ng lagay ng panahon at taas ng tubig sa ilog, hanggang sa agarang koordinasyon sa mga ahensya—handa ang ating mga kawani na rumesponde anumang oras (From real-time monitoring of weather conditions and river water levels to immediate coordination with various agencies, city personnel are ready to respond at any time)," it said.
As of 2 p.m. on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of ‘Opong’ is expected to be near Metro Manila between Friday afternoon and evening, Sept. 26.
Read more: Tropical Cyclone Opong tracker