Heavy rains dumped by tropical storm “Mario”, the southwest monsoon
(habagat) and high tide caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila and
neighboring provinces yesterday, prompting the evacuation of thousands
of residents in low-lying areas and the suspension of classes and work
in government offices, as well as the cancellation and delay of several
flights.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
Executive Director Alexander Pama said at least 105 localities in Metro
Manila, and in Regions 1, 3, 4A, and 4-B were reported flooded, forcing
thousands of people to flee their homes. As of 2 p.m. yesterday, he said
the storm had affected 104,339 families or 470,323 people in these
areas.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio
Pio P. Catapang Jr. ordered the deployment of various military
humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HA/DR) assets to areas,
especially in Metro Manila.
The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region under Brig. Gen. Manuel
S, Gonzales deployed six M-35 trucks, eight disaster response trailers
with rubber boats each, and additional five rubber boats to Araneta
Avenue, Tullahan, and Ginadaanan in Quezon City; Malabon; and Maypajo
in Marikina to assist local authorities in the rescue efforts.
The 525th Engineering Battalion deployed an M-35 truck and a rubber
boat to Tullahan, while the 525th Water Search and Rescue Battalion
deployed a KM-450 and a rubber boat to Nangka, Marikina.
Two Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Battalions, each with two KM 450
trucks, were deployed in Parang and Tumana in Marikina City to assist in
evacuation and transport assistance operations in the area.
The 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force alerted
one Sokol, one Huey, and two Sikorsky helicopters for the conduct of
aerial survey and rescue over Metro Manila.
The Disaster Response Units (DRU) at General
Headquarters-Headquarters Service Command, the Philippine Air Force
(PAF), Philippine Navy (PN), and AFP-Medical Center were also alerted
for deployment.
At least two were killed in Quezon City after they drowned as a result
of heavy flooding caused by tropical storm “Mario”. Reports reaching the
Quezon City Police District-District Tactical Operations Center
(QCPD-DTOC) in Camp Karingal identified the fatalities as Althea
Gaviola, 2, of Clementia Village, Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City,
and JayR Taganas, 34, of Barangay Apolonio Samsom, Quezon City. The
NDRRMC listed another fatality, Erlinda Centeno , 69. Meanwhile, a medical student from the University of Sto. Tomas
reportedly died from electrocution while crossing Espana Boulevard with
another student from Far Eastern University who remains in critical
condition. Initial reports identified the victim as Siegfried Arcilla,
22.
With the continuous rains, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.,
upon the recommendation of National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC), ordered the suspension of classes in all
levels, public and private, in the entire Metro Manila; in all of
Central Luzon – Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija,
Bulacan; Pangasinan; all of Southern Tagalog – Rizal, Cavite,
Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, including Polillo Island, the. Mindoro
provinces, Marinduque; Camarines Norte in Bicol.
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigal Valte announced the suspension of work in government offices in these areas.
At 9 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the red rainfall warning over Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan where flooding was expected.
Classes in the following schools will remain suspended today (Sept.
20): Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Valenzuela, San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila, Philippine College
of Criminology, Adamson University, San Beda College (Manila and Rizal
campus), Technological University of the Philippines (including Graduate
School), City of Malabon University, St. Jude Catholic school, Malabon
Institute of Technology, Navotas Polytechnic College, Gov. Andres
Paschal College, Far Eastern University (Manila and Makati campuses),
University of Santo Tomas (UST), Polytechnic University of the
Philippines (Metro Manila campus), Letran College, UP Diliman,
University of the East Manila and Caloocan, including College of Law and
Graduate School, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua Institute
of Technology Makati, and Miriam College.
The following local government units have likewise suspended classes
in all levels today: Parañaque, Marikina, Pasay, Marikina, Quezon City,
Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Rizal province, Cavite. The NDRRMC said the storm cancelled 70 domestic and about seven
international flights stranding thousands of passengers. A lightning
also struck the radar system of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
slowing down operations.
