The Quezon City government through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) declared its readiness for the typhoon season with the country expected to face between 13 to 16 storms this year.
Zero casualty remains the city government’s target, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“Everything we need for the onset of the rainy season and when La Niña hits the country is ready,” Belmonte was quoted saying in Tagalog, in a news release posted on the Quezon City official website on Thursday, May 30.
Belmonte said every department in their local government was given specific tasks to ensure the safety of QCitizens and to speed up the delivery of public services.
Quezon City’s readiness was quickly put to a test during the recent onslaught of Typhoon Aghon, the first storm to hit the country in 2024, and this level of preparedness will be maintained throughout the year.
In times of typhoons, the QCDRRM Council will be immediately activated with all member-offices on standby, while the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will closely monitor the movement of typhoons, wind strengths, and the amount of rainfall in Quezon City.
“Our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team members will also be placed on full alert and ready to respond immediately in case of emergencies,” Belmonte explained, adding the teams are equipped with rescue boats, protective gears, sonar equipment, rescue cans, and other life-saving equipment.
Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments and regular weather briefings will be conducted by QCDRRMO and will share updates on the ground as well as the actions taken by DRRM Council members.
The DRRMO will also recommend the city-wide suspension of classes in public schools depending on the weather forecast by 4:00 am. Each barangay will declare a localized suspension by 4:30 am in the absence of a recommendation by the DRRMO.
To ensure the safety of QCitizens, safety officers will also conduct pre-emptive evacuations in low-lying and flood prone areas.
“We will also dispatch USAR personnel to cut portions of trees and remove debris from fallen trees reported in some parts of the city to keep our QCitizens out of harm’s way,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte said the city’s Helpline 122 is always on standby to receive and address requests for assistance during calamities and other incidents.
