PHL readies for Super Typhoon Inday

GOVERNMENT agencies have activated nationwide contingency protocols following the entry of Super Typhoon Inday, with international name “Bavi,” into the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early on Wednesday.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. directed agencies to implement contingency measures as forecasts pointed to heavy rains and possible flooding.

While the state weather bureau noted that a direct landfall is unlikely, the cyclone’s massive 800-kilometer radius has prompted the agency to hoist a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 across Batanes, Cagayan, and parts of Northern Luzon.

The storm is projected to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), triggering severe downpours and potential flooding from Friday through the weekend.

Ms. Castro said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has cleared drainage systems and readied 73 pumping stations, while the Department of Public Works and Highways has prepositioned trucks, backhoes, and chainsaws in Cagayan Valley.

For relief efforts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has 4.7 million food packs ready, with 217,000 units specifically allocated to Cagayan Valley and Batanes.

Ms. Castro said the Department of Health has declared a “Code White” alert and placed emergency response teams on standby.

Approximately P36.6 million worth of medicines and hygiene kits have been prepositioned to ensure the continuity of health services, she added.

Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) also assured its customers that its personnel are ready to respond to any power outages brought by the super typhoon and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In a statement on Wednesday, the power distributor said it is closely monitoring weather updates as the state weather bureau warned of possible heavy rainfall and strong to gale-force winds that may affect the company’s franchise area.

“As a 24-hour service company, our crews are ready to attend to any possible electricity service concern in areas that might be affected by the inclement weather,” Meralco Vice-President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.

The company said there are measures in place to mitigate the possible impact of monsoon rains, including issuance of advisories on appropriate precautionary measures.

“Meralco has consistently requested billboard owners and operators to temporarily roll up their billboards to prevent these structures from being toppled by the strong winds,” Mr. Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco is the country’s biggest private electric distribution utility, serving more than 8.2 million customers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest, has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking and Sheldeen Joy Talavera