To strengthen and harmonize efforts of all government agencies for Typhoon Mawar, an emergency full council meeting was convened by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) today, 25 May 2023, at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The meeting, attended by heads and representatives of the various leads and members agencies of the NDRRMC, was presided by NDRRMC Chairperson and Defense Department Officer in Charge, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. In his opening statement, Sr Usec Galvez reminded the agencies of President Marcos Jr.’s instructions to ensure that all preparations must be undertaken to ensure the safety of communities that may be affected by the typhoon as well as the speedy provision of response and relief support.
As of 3:00P.M. today, Super Typhoon “MAWAR” was spotted 2,000 kilometers East of Southeastern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/hour near the center, and gustiness of up to 240 km/h; and moving West Northwestward at 15 km/h.
Local government units across the country, especially those in the projected storm track and with areas susceptible to flood and landslides, had been given reminders on the conduct of preparations by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported the prepositioning and availability of family food packs and various non-food items in the warehouses of the DSWD regional offices across the country. DSWD has a total of 1,005,472 prepositioned family food packs and 307,664 prepositioned non-food items.
“The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), agencies of the preparedness and response clusters, as well as the various local government units are also monitoring all areas that may experience inclement weather so that any untoward incidents can be prevented or responded to immediately.” NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator, Usec Ariel Nepomuceno explained.
Regional DRRM Councils, led by the OCD regional offices, covering the areas that are in the projected storm track also presented their preparations in coordination with line agencies and local government units, in terms of relief stockpiles, conduct of preemptive evacuation, readiness of response personnel, evacuation facilities and other assets.
Also, preparations for the El Niño phenomenon were tackled in the said meeting. According to PAGASA, the brunt of the climate phenomenon may be felt at the last quarter of 2023 through to the first quarter of 2024. Agencies of the El Niño Task Force reported continuing preparations to support the agriculture sector, ensure water security, health, safety and energy security.
The NDRRMC convenes emergency meetings, aside from its regular quarterly meetings, to coordinate preparations for possible major emergencies.
The NDRRMC reiterates its call to the public to undertake precautionary measures and prepare for the typhoon by monitoring weather advisories and heeding the warnings and instructions of local authorities, especially on preemptive evacuation.
