As Typhoon Uwan threatens to bring heavy rains and flooding, Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro has ordered intensified declogging of waterways and the preparation of evacuation sites to ensure swift assistance to affected communities.
On Friday, Nov. 7, Teodoro led a coordination meeting with the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to ensure the city’s full preparedness and prompt response ahead of the typhoon.
The mayor said that 36 evacuation camps are now on standby in case there is a need to evacuate families.
“Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon tayong 36 evacuation camps na nakahanda para sa mga pamilyang lilikas (At present, we have 36 evacuation camps ready to accommodate families who may need to evacuate),” she said.
She also ordered all concerned departments to carry out massive declogging operations in the city’s waterways and preposition rescue boats in strategic areas.
“Inatasan ko na ang ating operatives na magsagawa ng massive declogging sa ating waterways upang masigurado ang maayos na daloy ng tubig (I have instructed our operatives to conduct massive declogging operations in our waterways to ensure the smooth flow of water),” she said.
“I also directed them na mag-preposition na ng rescue boats sa mga flood-prone barangays para ma-ensure natin ang quick response sa possible evacuation (I also directed them to preposition rescue boats in flood-prone barangays to ensure a quick response in case evacuation becomes necessary),” she added.
Teodoro also mentioned that the city’s community kitchens have been activated to provide hot meals for possible evacuees.
“Pina-activate ko na rin ang ating mga community kitchen para makapag-serve ng hot meals sa ating possible evacuees para matiyak makakain sila habang nasa evacuation camps natin (I have also activated our community kitchens to serve hot meals to possible evacuees and ensure that they are provided with food while staying in our evacuation camps),” she said.
In addition, personnel from the Marikina City Health Office have been placed on alert to respond to urgent medical needs that may arise during the typhoon’s onslaught.
“Sa mga panahong ito, napakahalaga na coordinated lahat ng mga department para masigurado natin ang safety and welfare ng ating mga residente rito sa Marikina (In times like these, it is very important that all departments are coordinated to ensure the safety and welfare of our residents here in Marikina),” Teodoro stated.
She stressed that preparedness is very crucial in safeguarding lives and protecting property from the possible impact of Typhoon Uwan.
She then urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official advisories from the city government, and closely monitor the Marikina River’s water level, as well as cooperate with local authorities to ensure their safety.
“Nananawagan po tayo sa lahat na maghanda at makiisa. Sa sama-samang pagkilos, malalampasan natin ang anumang bagyo (We are calling on everyone to prepare and cooperate. Through our collective efforts, we can overcome any storm),” the mayor urged.