With the powerful tropical cyclone seen to enhance the Southwest Monsoon (habagat) and cause rains throughout the country.
On Wednesday, July 8, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to intensify their preparations from Typhoon Inday (international name: Bavi).
In response to that directive, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) had conducted clean-up operations of drainage systems and waterways particularly in areas clogged with garbage.
The agency’s 73 pumping stations are also on standby in case of a heavy downpour due to intensified habagat caused by Typhoon Inday.
As for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), they have made preparatory measures in Cagayan Valley, with the agency having prepositioned equipment such as trucks, backhoes, chainsaws, and other materials in the event that infrastructure in the area are damaged.
For the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), they have already prepacked 4.7 million food packs and stocked in its warehouses nationwide, with about 217,000 prepositioned in Cagayan Valley.
The Department of Health also prepared a contingency plan to ensure the continuity of health services to the public, with regional offices put on alert as part of the preparatory measures.
The Health Emergency Management Bureau, meanwhile, issued a weather alert to centers for health development.
“Nagdeklara na rin ang ahensiya ng Code (White) para alerto ang mga unit habang nakahanda na rin ang DOH Health Emergency Response Team sa buong bansa at ang pag-deploy ng Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance (PEMAT) kung kakailanganin,” Castro said, adding that a contingency plan is in place to ensure the continuity of health services to the public.
The Palace official also said that, based on DOH data, there are medicines, hygiene kits, and cleaning equipment already prepositioned in various locations.
Meanwhile, the President also called on the public to remain alert amid the threat of both weather systems.
