Brace for Super Typhoon’s worst-case scenario: storm surges, flooding

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed all government agencies to brace for the worst-case scenario as Super Typhoon “Pepito” intensifies, with the Office of Civil Defense warning at least 10 million individuals could be affected.

President Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro emphasized comprehensive preparedness not only for areas directly in Pepito’s path but also for potentially affected regions.

OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said personnel have been mobilized across Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Calabarzon, the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Cagayan, Ilocos, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

“We are instructed to conduct worst-case scenario planning,” Nepomuceno said. “It’s better to overprepare than fall short.”

“Pepito” is the sixth typhoon to impact the country in a span of three weeks, following storms “Kristine,” “Leon,” “Marce,” “Nika,” and “Ofel.”

Evacuation centers remained operational, and the government has strategically deployed assets and personnel, prepositioning air, land, and sea resources in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units, Nepomuceno said.

“Yesterday, during a meeting at the Office of Civil Defense, President Marcos also ordered us to ensure that evacuation centers are in locations free from flood or landslide risks,” he said.

The President also instructed authorities to conduct an inventory of existing evacuation centers, including schools used as temporary shelters, and ensure new facilities are built in low-risk areas.

Residents in coastal areas of the Ilocos Region, including Pangasinan and La Union provinces, as well as in Batangas, have evacuated following a storm surge advisory due to the super typhoon.

Nepomuceno said he is also pushing for a long-term integrated and comprehensive solution per river basin to prevent massive flooding in the future.

He said at least 18 major river basins must be prioritized, starting with the Bicol River Basin as directed by President Marcos.

“Let’s also take a closer look at the Cagayan River Basin and in Pasig, the Marikina River Basin, which can cause major damage,” he said

As this developed, Quick Response Assets composed of more than 1,300 equipment and nearly 7,000 personnel have been prepositioned in all regions in Luzon and Eastern Visayas, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

In a statement, the DPWH said its Disaster and Incident Management Teams are also on standby in these areas.

The Department of Health, on the other hand, is on “code white alert” – ready to deploy emergency response teams amid the impending onslaught of “Pepito” this weekend.

Health emergency response teams are likewise ready for deployment to evacuation centers, particularly in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Cordillera region, and Metro Manila.