MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday the Philippines is ready to face 18 more typhoons this year with fully equipped disaster response units.
NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said this during the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) Forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) building in Diliman, Quezon City. It is organized by PIA and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
Ramos said NDRRMC is in close coordination with various government and non-government disaster relief agencies such as the Philippine Red Cross, International Committee of the Red Cross and World Food Programme.
The NDRRMC chief reminded the people who will be affected by storms and other calamities to prepare for their basic survival kit.
This includes charged extra cellphone batteries so that they can communicate to their loved ones and authorities should they need help in the event of calamities.
Other important things needed basic survival kit are flashlights, extra batteries and ready to eat meals.
Ramos said that cooking may be out of the question if the people are already on their rooftop because of the flood waters. So ready to eat meals are a must.
Storms and typhoons are common in a tropical country like the Philippines. This is not the first time that the country will be in the path of typhoons and storms.
As this is the case, residents who are usually affected by these weather scenarios, especially those in low lying areas and in shorelines, should be prepared for any eventualities. (PNA)
DCT/JCA
