NDRRMC: Preparation for ‘Betty’ a good exercise for monsoon months

The government on Tuesday said typhoon “Betty’s” effects were very minimal, but the elaborate preparations that agencies undertook could be used as an “exercise” for the upcoming rainy season. “Based on reports that we have been receiving, [Betty’s effect] is very, in a way, very minimal compared with what we have projected a few days ago that it was a super typhoon, and of course, it was even downgraded today,” said Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro IV.

“So, it’s very minimal because the number shows that only 5,488 persons, per our report gathered, were preemptively evacuated, including in Region 2. More [were] even evacuated in Region 6,” he added.

The government has mobilized all disaster response units and equipment, with the military, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police alerting and mustering their units for typhoon response ahead of Betty’s impact in Northern Luzon.

however, Betty weakened and decelerated upon entry into the country, with weather forecasters warning the rain may just be induced by the prevailing southwest monsoon, and a little by the typhoon.

“In terms of damage, it is really very minimal. So, I think, all in all… if I can just say we just exercised with our protocols, procedures, and of course, readying with the typhoon season which is officially starting this June,” Alejandro said.

Based on its official report on Tuesday morning, the NDRRMC said 2,859 families or 11,264 individuals were affected in 55 villages in Regions 2, 3, 4-B, 6 and 7. At least 5,488 persons were preemptively evacuated. In the Visayas, the military’s Visayas Command (VISCOM) has prepped up its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) preparation as the typhoon starts to enhance the southwest monsoon, which has been projected to have an adverse effect in Western Visayas.

VISCOM spokesman Lt. Col. Israel Galorio said a total of 17 HADR teams composed of 17 officers and 153 personnel have been placed on standby alert by the 53rd engineering Brigade, ready to be deployed once the need arises.

Also, a total of 19 mobility assets, including five heavy equipment, were also placed on standby for response operations.