• Palace advises public to continue monitoring weather forecasts, Dam overflow warnings
• Palace hopes initial talk with communist rebel leaders in the Netherlands will lead to reopening of new dialogue

“Tayo pong naninirahan dito sa National Capital Region at mga kalapit na rehiyon, mostly po sa Luzon, ay patuloy na dumaranas ng pabugso-bugsong pag-ulan—bunsod po ito ng habagat—at patuloy din po ‘yung ginagawang pagtututok ng ating National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Antabayanan (din) po natin ang mga rainfall, thunderstorm, at iba pang weather advisory ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration),” he added.

As the increment weather continues, the threat of a dam overflow is still a possibility.

“Doon naman po sa mga lugar na mayroong banta ng pag-overflow ng ating mga dam, antabayanan din po ang advice ng ating mga local DRRMC para kung kinakailangan po ay lumikas, pero huwag naman po tayong maaalarma dahil patuloy naman pong tinututukan. Magkakaroon ng sapat na panahon ang pag-abiso kung kinakailangan ito,” said Coloma.

According to PAGASA weather advisory no. 5, issued at 11 a.m. (Sunday), “The southwest monsoon or habagat is expected to bring monsoon rains over the provinces of Zambales and Pangasinan. Residents in these areas are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.”

Last Friday, La Mesa Dam manager Teddy Angeles warned the public that there was still a chance that the dam might overflow due to the continues rain.

As of 11 a.m. last Saturday, the water level in the dam is at 79.78 meters, which is still considered at the critical level. PND (ag)

“Sana po mula doon sa inisyal na pakikipag-usap ni (House) Speaker (Feliciano) Belmonte sa mga lider ng CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) sa The Netherlands ay magkaroon po ng progreso hinggil sa muling pagbubukas ng diyalogo o usapan sa pagitan ng dalawang panig,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma noted that the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has an “active desk” that deals with the peace talk with the communist rebels.

House Speaker Belmonte had a talk with CPP founder Jose Mari Sison last Friday in The Netherlands, where the latter is currently in exile. Also present during the meeting was NDF Chairman Luis Jalandoni.

Belmonte was at the Hague, Netherlands to attend the hearing at the United Nations Arbitrary Tribunal where the Philippines filed a petition against China’s reclamation activities at the West Philippine Sea.

The House Speaker was representing the Philippine legislative branch at the hearing.

While the executive branch was represented by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, the judiciary by Supreme Court Justices Antonio Carpio and Francis Jardeleza. Also present were other cabinet secretaries and Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, also representing the Philippines together with American lawyers. PND (ag)