| The government is now preparing to cushion the possible impact of typhoon “Lawin” (international codename: Haima), which was expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, October 17, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad said they are now taking steps to prepare areas that will be affected by typhoon “Lawin.”
Typhoon “Lawin” will enter the country this week, just a few days after typhoon “Karen” battered Luzon.
According to Usec. Jalad, typhoon “Lawin” is expected to hit Northern Luzon.
“I think the coverage of typhoon Lawin is a bit larger, bigger than typhoon Karen so we expect a larger coverage of area to have rainfall,” Jalad said.
The NDRRMC chief said that among President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders was to fast-track the delivery of services, including the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures.
Meanwhile, Jalad said that based on the rapid damage assessment of the NDRRMC of typhoon “Karen,” the number of families staying in evacuation centers has gone down from 8,000 to 5,077 as of Monday, particularly in Regions I, II, III, Calabarzon and Region V.
Jalad also said that there were 943 damaged houses in Regions I, II and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
In the same briefing, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella reiterated the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he will raise the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea but stressed that there will be no bargaining with China.
The President is in Brunei Darussalam for a State Visit. He is also slated to visit China this week.
Abella meanwhile said the signing of the postponement of the barangay elections is already in the pipeline.
He added that the budget for the barangay elections will be put on hold until such time that it is used.PND |
