2 dead, 14 missing; 850,000 affected in Typhoon Quinta aftermath
Typhoon Quinta left two persons dead, 14 missing and more than 850,000 affected when it battered Luzon, authorities said. Although the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said it has yet to receive reports of any casualty caused by Quinta two fatalities were reported by local authorities. National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan […] The post 2 dead, 14 missing; 850,000 affected in Typhoon Quinta aftermath appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Missing man found dead in Barangay Bonbon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 50-year-old man who had been missing for two weeks was found dead in Sitio Golivas, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. The victim was identified as Adriano Fuentes Durano, a resident of Kiniasan, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of Malubog Police Community Precinct, stated that on Tuesday.....»»
Phl humanitarian contingent may be deployed to quake-hit Morocco
The Office of Civil Defense said Saturday it is making arrangements for possible deployment of Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent to quake-hit Morocco. "We are deeply saddened by the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Morocco. We want to assure Morocco that the Philippines is more than willing to extend assistance to support the ongoing response operations. We are organizing a humanitarian contingent for possible deployment,” OCD administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, said in a statement. Nepomuceno said the OCD, as the executive arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, is prepared to deploy a contingent to help in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts in Morocco battered by a Magnitude 6.8 earthquake that destroyed communities and killed nearly 3,000 people. Authorities said the number may still rise as search, rescue, and retrieval operations continue in affected areas. "We want to assure Morocco that the Philippines is more than willing to extend assistance to support the ongoing response operations. We are organizing a humanitarian contingent for possible deployment,” he added. Nepomuceno, who is also NDRRMC executive director, said the contingent will consist of personnel from the OCD, 525th Engineering Combat Battalion of the Philippine Army, 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection - Special Rescue Unit, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Davao Rescue 911, and Department of Health. Last February, the Philippines sent an 82-man PIAHC to Turkey to assist in the response operations of the quake-ravaged country. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria left 50,288 dead and 125,857 injured. The contingent assisted in medical and search, rescue, and retrieval operations. Meanwhile, Nepomuceno said the earthquake in Morocco will serve as a reminder for all to continuously prepare against the threat of earthquakes, especially the big ones. He called on the general public and other stakeholders to actively take part in the government’s earthquake resilience endeavors. “It is terrifying that in just seconds, an earthquake could claim many lives and leave massive destruction. Through the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, we should strengthen our prevention, mitigation, and preparedness measures against earthquakes,” he said. The post Phl humanitarian contingent may be deployed to quake-hit Morocco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Morocco medics face flow of quake victims with limited resources
The hospital in Amizmiz caring for Moroccans injured in the earthquake is now a tent pitched on asphalt under a blazing sun, and it has only around a dozen beds. When one bed becomes free, it is immediately filled again as the flow of victims from the disaster keeps on coming from villages at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Three days after Friday night's quake, the strongest ever to hit the North African country, relief workers are battling to cope in the aftermath. Patients are now being cared for under the large grey tent because of fears that the hospital building itself may be vulnerable to aftershocks. An ambulance brings the latest victim, 81-year-old Lhoucein Barouj whose leg is fractured. The old man has a haggard look, his mouth open. Relatives said he was seen by a traditional osteopath, but this will be the first hospital treatment he has received in three days. He has not had any pain relief either. "We had to carry him out of the house ourselves in a blanket and carry him for kilometers (miles)," said his daughter Habiba. Then "we waited in a field" for helpers, who came eventually to their village, Ait Mbarek. As in other mountainside villages hit by the 6.8-magnitude quake, landslides have blocked access, and a shutdown in communications has also delayed treatment for many of those affected. Basic care The quake struck southwest of the tourist center of Marrakesh, killing more than 2,800 people and injuring a similar number, according to the latest official figures. Most of the victims were in Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter was. On Monday, some arrivals seeking medical help looked exhausted and disoriented, among them a little girl in a Bugs Bunny T-shirt, her head bandaged as she lay cradled in her father's arms. The hospital at Amizmiz is local, and can handle basic medical care. But "we can't treat everything here", said ophthalmologist Doha Hamidallah. "We handle primary treatment such as sutures and fractures. But more serious cases are sent to Marrakesh University Hospital" some 50 kilometers (30 miles) away, she said. Hamidallah, who is in her 30s, arrived from Casablanca on Sunday to help along with "dozens of other doctors of all kinds from all over the kingdom". They take it in turns to triage patients. Tired and overwhelmed nurses deal with the flow of new patients arriving in private, public or military ambulances amid the clatter of helicopters above. Others distribute medicine to those who need it, mostly people with diabetes. "We also have to treat patients who were not injured directly by the quake, but who've been unable to get their medicine," said Christophe, a carer with the Moroccan Red Crescent. The first hours after the quake were difficult in the small hospital. "In terms of coordination, we could only go with the flow," said Dr Hamidallah. Mobile teams A voice is raised behind her, adding to the hubbub. "We need someone local who knows the area. Anybody?" A team is being formed at short notice to head out to houses in Anougal which have been cut off. "We send out mobile teams with doctors to the isolated villages," explained Christophe. Soldiers have also set up a field hospital nearby, and some 35 kilometres further east the authorities are putting up a temporary clinic with prefabricated buildings. This is at the entrance to Ouirgane, parts of which have been badly affected. Another military hospital was deployed on Monday morning in Asni village. More than 300 patients have already been admitted, military doctor Colonel Youssef Qamouss told AFP. Organising care has been complicated, but vital to manage stocks of the medical equipment available. John Johnson of the French group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), awaiting a green light from the authorities to help, said the Moroccans are coping well. "They have everything they need for primary care, but some things are lacking for trauma patients" such as anti-tetanus shots and painkillers, he said. There will also be a need for mental care in the days and months to come, he added. A few streets away, life has come to a standstill. One man stands with his arms crossed, staring at what used to be his home. The post Morocco medics face flow of quake victims with limited resources appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Yellen says US ‘carefully’ monitoring China economy
The United States is "carefully" monitoring China's challenges, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday, as the slowdown in the world's second-largest economy raises concerns for global growth. Many are worried about the Asian giant's struggles, with the threat of recession in Europe and high inflation in many major economies contributing to a plunge in demand for Chinese goods. "China faces a variety of both short and longer-term global challenges, economic challenges that we've been monitoring carefully," Yellen told reporters in New Delhi, ahead of a two-day G20 summit. "That said, China has quite a bit of policy space to address these challenges," she added. China's President Xi Jinping will miss the leaders' meeting at a time of heightened trade and geopolitical tensions with the United States and India, with which it shares a long and disputed border. China's challenges included "less of a pick up in consumer spending that had been anticipated in the aftermath of the Covid restrictions, as well as long-standing issues with respect to the property sector and... debt related to that", she said. G20 host India overtook its northern neighbor as the world's most populous country earlier this year, and Yellen added that China's "labor force is beginning to shrink". Xi's absence will impact Washington's bid to keep the G20 the main forum of global economic cooperation and its efforts towards a financing push for developing countries. That includes a plan to increase World Bank and International Monetary Fund lending power for emerging nations by some $200 billion as a better alternative to Beijing's "coercive" Belt and Road Initiative. While "aware of the risks to global growth", Yellen said she had "been surprised by the strength of global growth and how resilient the global economy has proven to be". "While there are risks and some countries that have certainly been affected, overall, the global economy has been resilient," she added. Yellen added that the "most important negative influence is Russia's war on Ukraine." The post Yellen says US ‘carefully’ monitoring China economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NOLCOM offers free flight to stranded locals and tourists in typhoon-affected Batanes
Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) thru the Tactical Operation Group 2 (TOG 2) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducted an air evacuation to stranded tourists and locals in Basco, Batanes on Thursday, August 10, 2023, following the aftermath of Typhoons Egay and Falcon. The island province bore the brunt […].....»»
Bulacan towns receive assistance
In the aftermath of the devastating typhoon “Egay” that wreaked havoc in different parts of Luzon, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen disaster resilience efforts as his office assisted victims in Hagonoy, Guiguinto and San Miguel, Bulacan. Go’s team provided food packs to a total of 1,700 affected residents in the three towns. He also expressed his commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the country. The senator has earlier filed Senate Bill 188 or the DDR Bill, which seeks to establish a specialized agency solely focused on disaster risk reduction and management and by creating a dedicated institution, the bill aims to streamline disaster management procedures and enhance the nation’s ability to respond effectively to future disasters. He added that creating a dedicated department for disaster resilience will not only improve coordination but will also provide an institutionalized mechanism in responding to disasters with clearer mandate, authority, expertise and resources. The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such institution in improving operations in managing and responding to future disasters. Go also emphasized the importance of SBN 193 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Bill, which mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in vulnerable areas prone to natural disasters. By making evacuation centers mandatory, the bill seeks to prevent loss of life and minimize the adverse effects of calamities on affected populations, said Go. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go then urged the victims to utilize the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City. The post Bulacan towns receive assistance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Egay’ victims in Bulacan get help from Bong Go
In the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Egay that wreaked havoc in different parts of Luzon, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go quickly assisted victims in Hagonoy, Guiguinto and San Miguel, Bulacan. Go’s team provided food packs to 1,700 affected residents in the three towns. He also expressed his commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the country. The senator has earlier filed Senate Bill No. 188 or the DDR Bill, which seeks to establish a specialized agency solely focused on disaster risk reduction and management. By creating a dedicated institution, the bill aims to streamline disaster management procedures and enhance the nation's ability to respond effectively to future disasters. He said that creating a dedicated department for disaster resilience will not only improve coordination but will also provide an institutionalized mechanism in responding to disasters with clearer mandate, authority, expertise and resources. The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such an institution in improving operations in managing and responding to future disasters. Go also emphasized the importance of SBN 193 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Bill, which mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in vulnerable areas prone to natural disasters. By making evacuation centers mandatory, the bill seeks to prevent loss of life and minimize the adverse effects of calamities on affected populations, said Go. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go then urged the victims to utilize the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The one-stop shop aims to help impoverished patients by reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 158 operational centers have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH. “Lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go. Meanwhile, in line with his commitment to help uplift the lives of Bulakeños, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, construction of drainages, provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, improvement of the Pandi District Hospital, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso and many more. The post ‘Egay’ victims in Bulacan get help from Bong Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Govt gives cash and aid to flood-ravaged Central Luzon
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the government is prepared to provide relief goods, financial assistance, and other forms of help to those affected by the floods in Luzon. Marcos said this in his speech as he visited flood-affected areas in Central Luzon on Monday, 6 August, to assess the damage and pledge assistance to those in need. "We are here to make sure that those in need are provided assistance and that help is distributed effectively," Marcos said. "Things are being managed well here. DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is here, and they were prepared even before the floods and storms arrived. They've sent their relief goods, and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) is ready to assist those who lost their jobs, those needing a little help to bridge the gap," Marcos added. Marcos also urged residents to be prepared for future floods and storms, as climate change is causing the weather to become more unpredictable. "The truth here is that many of those affected by the flooding were not necessarily those in flood-prone areas," Marcos said. "First and foremost, the amount of rain that fell was significant. From the North to Central Luzon region, we need to really prepare for what we call climate change. The weather is changing, not following the patterns of the past. So, we need to be ready." Heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Egay and Typhoon Falcon caused floods in Central Luzon. The typhoons caused widespread flooding and damage. The government has declared a state of calamity in several provinces in Central Luzon, including Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. The floods have displaced thousands of people, and have caused millions of pesos in damage. During the distribution of various government assistance to Pampanga, 1,000 beneficiaries received food packs and were provided with P10,000 each through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program by the DSWD. Conversely, the DOLE allocated P2.3 million to assist 500 beneficiaries in Pampanga through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating mga Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program. The DOLE has a reserve fund of Php65 million designated for approximately 14,000 TUPAD beneficiaries. Additionally, on 4 August, they disbursed another Php30 million for the TUPAD program specifically in Pampanga through their regional office. The agency also granted livelihood assistance amounting to Php6.4 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) to seven LGUs, specifically: Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Arayat, Porac, and Sta. Ana in Pampanga. Participating in the efforts, the DA presented the Province of Pampanga with a certificate worth P21.6 million. This included 13,354 bags of certified seeds valued at P20.2 million distributed to 8,723 farmer-beneficiaries, 186 bags of hybrid yellow corn and 15 bags of open-pollinated variety worth Php1.1 million given to 154 farmer-beneficiaries, as well as assorted vegetable seeds worth P230,000 provided to 162 farmer-beneficiaries. Following the distribution of aid, President Marcos took part in a briefing at Pampanga Capitol to assess the aftermath of recent typhoons and extensive flooding in the province. This evaluation aimed to determine further assistance that could be offered to those affected by the calamities. The post Govt gives cash and aid to flood-ravaged Central Luzon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM: Forget farm imports
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is making sure the calamity that struck Northern Luzon as a result of typhoon “Egay,” which primarily devastated vegetable farms, will not be taken advantage of as he barred imports. The President declared on Saturday the country “would not import vegetables” despite many agricultural areas having been affected by the recent onslaught of storms. “That will not become a policy. We will not import any agricultural product unless we see that the supply is so low that the prices will become out of reach of ordinary consumers,” Marcos said, after receiving reports of many vegetable farms in Benguet having been affected by “Egay.” Marcos led the situational briefing with different agencies and local officials in Abra, which has been placed under a state of calamity along with the Mountain Province. No repeat of past In the aftermath of past typhoons, prices of agricultural products spiked, which, in turn, was used by unscrupulous traders to push the Department of Agriculture to allow importations. Later, it turned out that in several cases, such as with the recent onion shortage, the market was manipulated by cartels in the sector. Marcos, who is concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture, said the government will review the local vegetable supply to determine remedial measures to stabilize prices. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that “Egay” caused P833.88 million worth of agricultural damage. NDRRMC said some 76,093 fisherfolk and farmers were reeling from the impact of the typhoon as well as the ongoing effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat. The agricultural production loss in volume due to “Egay” was placed at 103,958 metric tons, affecting over 91,651.56 hectares of crop area. A state of calamity was declared over the Ilocos provinces, Cavite, Sanchez Mira in Cagayan and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro due to the destruction from the tropical cyclone. The declaration put in effect an automatic price freeze on basic commodities. The government said it has distributed P39.69 million worth of assistance in the form of family food packs, financial aid, blankets and others. Marcos led the distribution of various assistance to the affected farmers and fishers such as seeds, medicines, and biologics for livestock and poultry and fingerlings. The President ordered the DA to prepare the department’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program and the quick response fund to promptly assist the typhoon victims. He said the government will also provide building materials to affected families. Agencies and local governments were ordered to prioritize the provision of assistance to families affected by “Egay,” as he assured that the government will immediately follow through with recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Rice gets priority During the distribution of government assistance in Abra province, the President directed the government to find rice suppliers “so that the National Food Authority could provide all the emergency support.” “Again, rice for me is the most important,” he said, adding that more assistance and food packages were on the way. Marcos directed the government to find rice suppliers “so that the National Food Authority could provide all the emergency support.” The President noted that the authorities were only waiting for the areas to be cleared of the aftermath of the typhoon, including landslides and floods. “It will be followed through with recovery and rehabilitation efforts and then rebuilding initiatives. That is why we are looking as to how big was the damage and how many houses were destroyed so we can provide them building materials so they can rise again and go back,” Marcos said. He said the government will also prioritize the restoration of the power supply in the typhoon-hit areas in the Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region. Although the government wants to restore power quickly, Marcos said the “huge number of toppled poles and power lines will make immediate electricity restoration difficult.” “That is why it is going to take a little time. So, of course, we are going to do it as quickly as possible but that can’t be rushed. It needs to be restored, if not the substations will be destroyed,” he added. The post PBBM: Forget farm imports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos vows sufficient rice supply, relief aid for Egay-hit areas
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday ordered concerned government agencies to prioritize the provision of assistance to affected families by the recent onslaught of Typhoon "Egay" as he assured the government will follow through with recovery and rehabilitation efforts. Marcos led the situational briefing with different agencies and local officials on Saturday in Abra—which has been placed under a state of calamity along with the Mountain Province due to Egay’s onset that hit many parts of Northern Luzon. During the distribution of various government assistance in Abra province, Marcos directed the government to find rice suppliers “so that National Food Authority could provide all the emergency support.” “Again, rice, for me, is the most important,” he said, noting that more assistance and food packages were underway. The President noted that authorities were only waiting for the areas to be cleared from the aftermath of the typhoon including landslides and floods. "Ang susunod naman diyan ay ‘yung pag-recover, pag-rehabilitate, at saka ‘yung rebuilding na. Kaya’t tinitingnan na rin namin gaano karami ang damage, ilan ‘yung talagang nasiraan ng bahay, ano ‘yung mga damage doon sa ibang bahay. At magpo-provide din kami ng building materials para ay maitayo ulit at mabalikan (It will be followed through bu receovery and rehabiliation efforts and then rebuilding initiatives. That’s why we are looking as to how big were the damages and how many houses were destroyed so we can provide them building materials so they can rise again and go back),” Marcos emphasized. Marcos said the government will also prioritize the restoration of the power supply in the typhoon-hit areas within the Ilocos region and Cordillera Administrative Region. Although the government wants to restore power quickly, Marcos cited that a “huge number of toppled poles and power lines will make immediate electricity restoration difficult.” “That’s why it’s going to take a little time. So, of course, we’re going to do it as quickly as possible but hindi puwedeng madaliin. Kailangan talaga maayos, kasi kung hindi masisira ang substations (that can’t be rushed. It really needs to be restored, if not the substations will be destroyed),” he added. The post Marcos vows sufficient rice supply, relief aid for Egay-hit areas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Egay’ leaves 5 dead at least
Typhoon ‘Egay’ has left P53.1 million in damage and losses to the country’s farm sector after it battered the northern Philippines, affecting 328,356 people or 89,639 families. As of press time Thursday, the death toll climbed to five — four in the Cordillera region and one from CALABARZON, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said four of the deaths were recorded after a landslide hit their houses in Buguias town, Benguet. Authorities confirmed that the fatalities were a mother and her three children. Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Edgar Posadas said one reported death in Ilocos Sur was being validated by the authorities. Typhoon Egay’s aftermath was felt throughout the 11 regions of the country, with some 26,697 residents from Luzon being forced to evacuate. The Department of Agriculture reported damage and losses to agriculture due to typhoon “Egay” at an estimated P53.1 million, with 2,303 farmers affected — reflecting a production loss of 1,871 metric tons across 3,185 agricultural areas. The NDRRMC assessment was based on initial reports from the DA regional offices in CAR, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Caraga regions. The initial cost of damage to infrastructure was estimated at P1.7 million. Meanwhile, PAGASA said it was monitoring another tropical cyclone, which was last tracked 1,585 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas still outside the Philippine area of responsibility. PAGASA said the tropical cyclone may enter PAR between Saturday night and Sunday, but it will have “no direct effect on any part of the country yet.” The post ‘Egay’ leaves 5 dead at least appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC: 5 died, over 328K people affected by Typhoon Egay
At least five people reportedly died as Typhoon Egay battered the northern Philippines, affecting 328,356 people or 89,639 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Thursday. In its latest situational report, NDRRMC said at least 4 individuals were reported died in the Cordillera region, while the other one was a resident of the Calabarzon region. In a televised public briefing, NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said the four deaths were recorded after a landslide hit their houses in Buguias town, Benguet. Authorities confirmed that the fatalities were a mother and her 3 children. Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Edgar Posadas said one reported death in Ilocos Sur is also being validated by the authorities. Typhoon Egay’s aftermath was felt throughout the 11 regions of the country, with some 26,697 residents from Luzon being forced to evacuate. They are currently staying in 306 activated temporary shelters. The Department of Agriculture on Thursday reported that damage and losses to agriculture due to Typhoon Egay have been estimated at P53.1 million, with 2,303 farmers affected—reflecting a production loss of 1,871 metric tons. The state weather bureau PAGASA said Typhoon Egay is now out of the Philippine area of responsibility. The typhoon exit PAR at 8 a.m. and was on its way to the Taiwan Strait and China. Egay was last tracked over 255 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and 185 kph gusts. The post NDRRMC: 5 died, over 328K people affected by Typhoon Egay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disaster resiliency must be prioritized
Typhoons occur very often in our country. Located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the Philippines is visited by 20 typhoons on average yearly. Some have been more devastating than most — ravaging lands, destroying properties, and claiming the lives of our affected Filipinos. And because of climate change, in addition to our geographical location in the Pacific, the Philippines is exposed to natural calamities that are getting more often and more severe. While we can’t prevent the entry of typhoons, we could very well stay one step ahead to minimize the damage brought by these natural disasters and hopefully save more lives through a more prepared and proactive approach, better coordination among concerned government agencies, and stronger cooperation from the public. As super typhoon “Betty” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, I pray for the safety of all our affected kababayans and hope for an efficient restoration of normalcy once the typhoon passes. I commend our frontline government agencies and local authorities who, days before the typhoon’s entry, so far have reportedly already made necessary preparations to deal with this and its aftermath. These preparations and more go a long way in securing the lives and property of our affected Filipinos. Nevertheless, considering our country’s vulnerability to natural calamities, we must continue instituting measures that will ensure more proactive and effective disaster preparedness and response. Thus, I continue advocating for several disaster resilience measures, including the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience through my proposed Senate Bill No. 188. If the bill is enacted into law, the DDR shall serve as an empowered and highly-specialized cabinet level-department with a clear unity of command, responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. It shall lead the crafting and implementation of programs and activities to reduce the risk of all types of natural hazards and effects of climate change and manage the impact of disasters. I have also filed SBN 193, or the proposed Mandatory Evacuation Centers Act, which seeks to require the establishment of evacuation centers in every province, city, and municipality throughout the country that shall provide basic needs and assistance to all evacuees. Also, I have introduced SBN 192, also known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, in a bid to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies by the government. Finally, SBN 1709 proposes to amend the provisions of the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” to mandate the grant of hazard pay to the personnel of respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees, as well as all accredited community disaster volunteers enlisted to their respective territorial jurisdictions during the State of Calamity declared by the President. Under the proposed measure, all personnel of the LDRRMOs in all provinces, cities, and municipalities and all accredited community disaster volunteers, regardless of their employment status, shall be granted a hazard pay of P3,000 every month if it is enacted into law. This is in recognition of their invaluable sacrifices and contributions in looking after the safety of our people in the face of disasters and even at the risk of their own lives. Similarly, our dedication to public service never ceases. From Monday to Sunday, our work inside and outside the hallowed halls of the Senate continues. On top of our Senate sessions, I led the distribution of aid to 1,663 indigents from Gapan City, municipalities of Cabiao and Peñaranda in Nueva Ecija; 1,000 in Pasig City, as well as 1,201 fire victims in Sta. Cruz, Manila last week. On 25 May, I also visited Davao de Oro for the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center, inspect a two-story multi-purpose building, and led a relief activity for 1,000 residents in Maco town. We attended the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers in Libertad town and Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City, and spearheaded three relief operations for 1,000 indigents in Libertad, and 2,000 in Barangay Balubal, and another 300 in the city on 26 May. Apart from the groundbreaking of the Escalante City Super Health Center in Negros Occidental on 27 May, I aided 2,000 residents of the city composed of fisherfolks, tricycle drivers, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. I joined the 25th Manlambus Festival where I was able to watch a carabao race and provided aid to 200 carabao owners. On 28 May, I inspected the Sariaya Super Health Center in Quezon province and helped 1,000 indigents in the town. In Lucena City, 1,500 residents received aid. I also joined the Pasayahan Festival and inspected the Lucena City Promenade, whose funding I supported. My outreach teams extended aid to 400 barangay health workers and nutritionists in Macalelon, Quezon; 373 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority graduates in Argao, Cebu; and 1,200 tricycle drivers in San Luis, Pampanga. Indigents, including 81 in Llanera, Nueva Ecija; 500 in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; 250 in Dipaculao and 233 in San Luis, Aurora. Also, our office joined the dental and medical mission of 150 indigents in Pandan, Antique. In the face of inevitable natural hazards, we all must exert efforts to build a more disaster-resilient nation. Through effective measures, preparations, proper coordination, and widespread cooperation, we can all save lives, help each other recover, and rise again even stronger. The post Disaster resiliency must be prioritized appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How ready are we to manage disasters?
A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization warned that global temperatures are expected to rise to record levels in the next five years, triggered by greenhouse gases and the recurring El Niño. With the current hot weather already a bane to many, and occasional thundershowers offering temporary relief, the scenario in the not-too-distant future looms as a threat more than a warning, as the chances of having the hottest days on record within five years appear to be a dead certain reality. “A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months, and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory,” said WMO Secretary-General Pro. Peterri Taalas. “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management, and the environment. We need to be prepared.” Despite the grim announcement, Taalas offers a ray of hope. We still have time to prevent the inevitable from happening; he provides to soothe doomsayers. This is not an impossible situation and is not irreversible, he adds. Strengthening weather and climate services to protect people from extreme weather conditions and new greenhouse gas monitoring will be on top of the agenda of matters to be discussed during the forthcoming WMO Conference scheduled from 22 May to 2 June. For our part, how ready are we to handle disasters of this sort? Are we equipped to face or institute disaster-reduction/mitigation efforts? There has been a lot of discussion on making a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive in the matter of responding to disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and droughts, among others. The government and the private sector have stressed that responses should be immediate and efficient, and emergency relief immediately followed by the rebuilding of destroyed houses or infrastructure or rehabilitation and livelihoods restored to the affected victims. The World Conference on Disaster Reduction mapped out a framework from 2005-2015 that adopted “five priorities for action: 1. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation; 2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; 3. Use knowledge, innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; 4. Reduce the underlying risk factors; and 5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.” Considering that the Philippines ranks first in the world regarding risks associated with natural disasters and is “host” to an average of 20 typhoons annually, six of which are destructive according to a World Risk Index report, have we used these recommendations? Only a few years ago, five Northern Luzon town mayors were facing charges in the Office of the Ombudsman after they were found missing from their posts as Typhoon Ompong ravaged most parts of the islands, causing deaths and destruction in the aftermath. Many victims of past calamities continue to live in makeshift dwellings as they cannot rebuild their homes far from their workplaces and schools for their children. There is a never-ending line of displaced people seeking food or ayuda and a mad scramble for the same caused by disorderly or ill-maintained distribution systems. Donations are being ripped off and do not go to the intended beneficiaries. Instead of being disaster-prepared, we react as if these calamities are happening for the first time. In contrast, look at how neighboring Bangladesh, another developing nation in 6th place on the Global Risk Index, deals with the catastrophes that come their way. Its government has boosted community-focused risk reduction efforts, decentralized disaster management, developed partnerships, and enhanced community resilience by working together to reduce their vulnerability to the elements and participating in risk-reduction activities. Our local government executives should look up to their Bangladesh counterparts and learn a thing or two, reviewing their original mandates and responsibilities to their constituents. Old systems that did not work must be discarded or restructured according to the needs of the times. And the time to act is now before it’s too late. The post How ready are we to manage disasters? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Groups want ban on toxic cargo in VIP
Civil society groups and representatives of fisherfolk have demanded a total ban on tankers carrying toxic cargo along the Verde Island Passage. The ban should spare the island’s marine environment and communities from the risk of oil spill, according to the think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, the environmental advocacy group Protect VIP and the Koalisyon ng Mangingisdang Apektado ng Oil Spill. The call was made as the House of Representatives Committee on Ecology and Committee on Natural Resources are jointly investigating the oil spill caused by the 28 February sinking of the fuel tanker MT Princess Empress off Oriental Mindoro. “Tankers carrying toxic cargo like industrial oil and other fossil fuels should be banned from coursing through the VIP,” Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED and co-convenor of Protect VIP said Arances said the complexity of responses necessary in the aftermath of a disaster like the Oriental Mindoro oil spill showed that the government should not allow such incidents to happen in the first place. “We’re disappointed that even as it took two long months before Congress called for another investigation, there appears to be no significant progress in exacting justice for affected communities and biodiversity. Coordination among various government and responsible actors still proves to be severely lacking,” he complained. The groups raised alarm over the high volume of fossil fuel and toxic cargo-carrying vessels’ allowed to ply critically biodiverse seas, especially the VIP, without a complete and thorough assessment of these vessel seaworthiness right from its point of departure as seems to be the case for the Princess Empress. Meanwhile, fisherfolks complain of unclear and unjust processes for the delivery of compensation, inedible products in food packs and lack of plans for long-term support for alternative livelihoods. “It is disheartening to see the finger-pointing at the hearing earlier: the discussion of allowing MT Princess Empress to sail despite its no permit to sail between the Philippine Coast Guard and Marina (Maritime Industry Authority), the unclear water testing and results from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s recall of canned tuna after it has been distributed,” Dindo Melaya, convenor of KMAOS, said. Melaya called for a clear and long-term plan such as providing alternative livelihoods to fisherfolks who are yet to resume fishing, retrieval of the sunken tanker and full accountability from the polluters, instead of sending them canned tuna that are unsafe even for their dogs. The groups raised alarm over the high volume of fossil fuel and toxic cargo-carrying vessels allowed to ply critically biodiverse seas. The groups also pointed out that the absence of RDC Reield Marine Services and the oil tanker owner and charterer, subsidiaries of San Miguel Corporation, makes the oil spill hearing unable to genuinely facilitate the exacting of accountability from polluters. “Government agencies and members of our congress can go on with the blame game as much as they want, but there will be no justice if the polluters that caused this ecological disaster are allowed to play truant,” according to Arances. “We sincerely hope that our government will deliver the punitive actions these companies deserve, including the compensation they owe to communities whose livelihoods they robbed and whose welfare they harmed. These polluters should stop sending stand-ins, and instead, stand up and face the consequences of their actions,” he said. The post Groups want ban on toxic cargo in VIP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC: 8 dead, 3 missing in aftermath of Karding
In its latest situation report on the effects of Karding, the NDRRMC said that 16,476 families or 60,817 persons were listed as affected by the Super Typhoon. .....»»
Guian, Samar LGU to donate P100,000 worth of dried fish to typhoon ‘Rolly’ victims
TACLOBAN City – The municipality of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, where Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) made its first landfall in the early morning of November 8, 2013, is paying it forward for the generosity it received from all over the world by donating to the victims of Supertyphoon “Rolly.” PHOTO FROM MUNICIPALITY OF GUIAN, EASTERN SAMAR FACEBOOK PAGE/ MANILA BULLETIN At least P100,000 worth of dried fish will be donated by the local government of Guiuan to the Bicol region which is still reeling from “Rolly’s” destruction, and was again battered by Typhoon “Ulysses” on Wednesday. Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan said it is their way of repaying the love they have received during the aftermath of Haiyan. She recalled that the Bicol Emergency Response team was one of those that helped Guiuan after it was flattened by the strongest typhoon in history. Guiuan is known for its fish and seafood products and marine fisheries development center. After families in the path of the typhoon lost their boats, nets, and tools that are essential to earn a living, and badly affected coral reefs, the government, together with some non-governmental organizations poured in some aid to help the industry get back on its feet. Guiuan, and its neighboring islands which are protected seascape under the NIPAS Act of 1992, is under the management of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). With its abundance of fish and other produce, the municipality is supplying not only Eastern Samar but also other areas within and outside Eastern Visayas with its fishery products such as dried danggit and flying fish. .....»»
Typhoon-stricken gov t employees may apply for 5-day emergency leave
PASIG CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Government employees directly affected by the aftermath of Typhoons Quinta and Rolly may apply for a special five-day leave, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) told the.....»»
Telcos inatasan ng NTC na magbigay ng libreng tawag, charging sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo
Inatasan ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ang Globe Telecom at Smart Communication na magbigay ng serbisyong libreng tawag at charging ng mobile phone sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng Bagyong Rolly. “In the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly, you are hereby directed to deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging stations in strategic areas affected by the […] The post Telcos inatasan ng NTC na magbigay ng libreng tawag, charging sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo appeared first on Bandera......»»
2 dead, 14 missing; 850,000 affected in Typhoon Quinta aftermath
Typhoon Quinta left two persons dead, 14 missing and more than 850,000 affected when it battered Luzon, authorities said. Although the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said it has yet to receive reports of any casualty caused by Quinta two fatalities were reported by local authorities. National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan […] The post 2 dead, 14 missing; 850,000 affected in Typhoon Quinta aftermath appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»