NDRRMC on Full Alert Due to Tropical Depression Maymay, Habagat

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has raised its alert status to full due to the impacts of Tropical Depression Maymay and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). This is in response to the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ensure the government’s preparedness and immediate response amid the inclement weather. "President Marcos Jr. ordered the government to be prepared to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro during a briefing. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has rescue personnel and equipment on standby and is coordinating with all disaster risk reduction and management offices and the 17 local government units across the region. Strict pre-emptive evacuation is also being implemented in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas, including those in coastal zones. Aside from operational pumping stations, mobile pumps are also in place, and preemptive pumping is being conducted to increase the carrying capacity of waterways. Citing information from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Castro said that the government has allocated nearly P1.8 million for humanitarian assistance to those who will be affected by the weather disturbances. The DSWD has distributed family food packs, ready-to-eat food items, and sleeping kits to residents in Benguet, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Albay, and Zamboanga City. In total, the government has prepared over 5 million family food packs for affected areas, while standby funds amount to P1.6 billion. "The President and the government are prepared for any disaster," Castro stated. As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was in effect over 16 areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Maymay moved over Tanudan, Kalinga, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. Information Source: GMA News Philippines