MANILA, Philippines – Hours before Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) made landfall in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III gave clear instructions to members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council (NDRRMC). 

“I reiterate, the objective has to be: minimize the casualties and the hardship of our people,” said the President. Aquino was part of an NDRRMC meeting in its headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, July 15.

Glenda touched Philippine soil around 5pm Tuesday, making landfall in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. The storm is expected to cause flooding, storm surge, and landslides in several provinces.

Aquino emphasized the importance of giving local government units (LGUs) the right information. Glenda is expected to directly affect the provinces of Albay, Camarines Provinces, Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan and Pampanga.

“We have to make sure that the people who need this information – so that they can take the correct actions – really understand all of the information being given,” added Aquino.

NDRRMC chief Undersecretary Alexander Pama said Aquino did not ask for anything out of the usual, but asked the council how soon they would be ready. “Ang sagot namin: we are ready,” said Pama. (We told him we’re ready.)

PNP, AFP directives

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are both on “full alert status” and have been directed to be “ready to do the usual thing and the logistics involved also have been pre-positioned.”

The Philippine Air Force on Tuesday assembled 11 teams composed of 150 trainees/personnel to be on standby at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. In a statement, the Air Force said the teams will have with them M-35 trucks, rubber boats and an ambulance.

Other Air Force teams are also on standby in Pampanga, Lipa, Palawan, Cebu, and Zamboanga. Air assets will also be ready for deployment for post-typhoon operations. The AFP’s Civil Relations Group commander Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, meanwhile, said over 100 personnel and 10 vehicles were on standby for Joint Task Force NCR.

The PNP, meanwhile, has activated its National Headquarters Disaster Incident Management Task Group for disaster response operations, as directed by PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima. In a phone interview with Rappler, Purisima’s spokesman Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said all units of the PNP in areas affected by Glenda are on standby.

The PNP’s Special Action Force, Maritime Group, Highway Patrol Group, Police Community Relations Group, as well as the Regional Public Safety Battalions – units capable of responding to disasters – are also on standby for possible deployment to areas hit by floods, landslides, or storm surge.

Several provinces implemented preemptive evacuations ahead of Glenda’s wrath.

“Let’s just explain later on why they were inconvenienced rather than explain why they’re in a wake. That has to be very, very clear. There is a choice. Let’s choose where the people become most safe rather than hope that they are safe,” said Aquino. – Rappler.com