Rescuers help in the evacuation of residents in flooded areas.

MANILA – Units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have been pre-positioned in case the need for rescue operations arises, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported.

The council has already mobilized rescue units as Northern and Central Luzon are bracing for the effects of typhoon Ramil (international code name Lupit), NDCC spokesperson Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres told radio dzMM on Sunday.

He said the AFP, PNP, PCG and BFP were tapped to participate in rescue efforts because they have the necessary tools for rescue operations.

Torres then called on the public living in risk areas such as coastal areas and mountain slopes to heed government’s call to evacuate.

“Siguro dahil po sa mga naranasan sa nakaraang mga typhoons ay nakita po natin ang kagamitan natin at personnel natin sa gobyerno ay nangangailangan pa ng tulong ng bawat indibidwal at local communities para ma-address ang problema ng mga sakuna gaya ng naranasan natin with Pepeng and Ondoy,” he said.

“Ang kailangan po sana bawat indibidwal, bawat komunidad, magtulung-tulong tayo para ma-mitigate ang maaring epektio ng typhoon Ramil,” added Torres.

According to the 5 a.m. PAGASA weather bulletin, Ramil was located at 970 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora. It has gained strength as it now has maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

Ramil is forecast to move northwest slowly. Its forecast position on Monday morning is 900 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora. On Tuesday morning, it is projected to be at 700 km east of Aparri, Cagayan while on Wednesday morning, 370 km east of Aparri.

The typhoon will most likely hit areas affected by tropical storm Pepeng (international code name Parma) as Pangasinan and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), PAGASA said in a briefing Saturday.

Advisories

Torres also mentioned that advisories are being issued down to local disaster coordinating councils to forewarn them of the possible effects of Ramil.

He said the NDCC also conducted an inventory of rescue operations equipment including rubber boats.

The inventory was crucial, said Torres, because it would help determine where to pre-position rescue equipment and mobility in coordination with PAGASA.

“These efforts of the national level are replicated down to the local disaster coordinating councils,” he assured.

When asked if the government is ready for Ramil, Torres replied: “Well we are maximizing the use of our personnel and equipment para po makahanda tayo.”

He, however, noted that the government will be able disseminate announcements and warnings to more people living in risk areas with the help of the media.

He cited the problem the government experienced during the onslaught of Pepeng when people refused to leave their homes.

“So sana po mas pakinggan lang nila assessment ng local officials kung kailangan nilang lumikas sa kinaroroonan nila,” he stated.

Continued water release

Torres also said that the continued release of water by the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan is necessary because its water level is 3 meters higher than the normal elevation level.

“Kinakailangan mag-release although calibrated para di makapinsala doon sa communities around and near the dam in preparation for the incoming typhoon kung saka-sakaling may dalang maraming tubig ulan,” he explained.

He went on to say that the dam has to maintain a certain water level. “Para di grabe ‘yong pressure na maaring makasira sa dam. Kasi if mangyari yon mas malaki ang magiging pinsala.”

In addition, he said the NDCC is in coordination with the provinces Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan with regard to the status of dams in the said areas.

The council is said to be updating them with the dams’ status periodically in order to forewarn the people living in areas near the dams.

“With the help local government officials and especially the media, malaman po ng publiko ang status ng mga dam sa darating na araw,” he noted. --abs-cbnNEWS.com. With a report from radio dzMM