MANILA — With Typhoon “Lawin” expected to make landfall in Cagayan late Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced that it has more than sufficient relief stocks at hand.
The typhoon, which is packing sustained winds of 221 kilometers per hour, is expected to batter Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).
This was stressed by NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad shortly after the agency’s pre-disaster risk assessment core group meeting Wednesday.
Participating in the NDRRMC core group meeting are representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, PAGASA, DSWD, Department of Science and Technology-Project NOAH, Mines and Geoscience Bureau, PHIVOLCS, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Department of Health, UN OCHA and members of the regional disaster risk reduction and management councils of Region 1, 2, 3 and CAR.
He added the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already pre-positioned PHP1.4 billion worth of relief items and quick reaction funds for possible contingencies.
This includes relief goods and items forwarded to augment existing stocks in Regions 1, 2, 3, CALABARZON, to aid those earlier displaced by Typhoon “Karen,” and in CAR.
Jalad said the DSWD also deployed quick reaction teams to augment units deployed for disaster response missions.
Also, the DOH also has ensured the availability of medical supplies and other logistical requirements and emergency areas for regions that will be affected by “Lawin”.
The NDRRMC chief added that the DPWH has also already pre-positioned heavy equipment for road clearing operations. Priam Nepomuceno/PNA-northboundasia.com