IRIN
PHILIPPINES: Typhoon tests Philippine readiness
25 November 2007


MANILA, 25 November 2007 (IRIN) - The Philippine Atmospheric, 
Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) is tracking 
a typhoon, Mina (also know as Mitag), headed for the country's northern 
island.

Whichever way the typhoon ultimately goes, according to disaster 
preparedness authorities, it poses a major threat to life and property 
in six to eight provinces with an estimated population of 10-12 million.

Pre-emptive evacuations

Provincial governors in coordinated with local officials activated local 
disaster coordinating councils to conduct "pre-emptive evacuation" of 
residents in threatened areas, particularly in coastal and low-lying 
towns and landslide-prone areas. Gina Lindayag, a resident of the 
coastal town Virac in Catanduanes Province told a local radio program 
that fishermen have already moved their fishing vessels to the town 
plaza in anticipation of the storm. "We are taking no chances," she 
said.

Typhoon Mina is the 13th storm to pass through the Philippines in 2007 
and has been reported as packing maximum, sustained winds of 175 
kilometres per hour with gusts of 210 kilometres per hour according to 
PAGASA official Nathaniel Cruz. It is now expected to make landfall late 
Sunday (25 November) or early Monday.

Only three weeks ago, typhoon Kabayan killed six people and destroyed 
P19 million (US $442,000) worth of property as it slammed northern 
Luzon. Isabela province sustained the most damage. Another typhoon, 
Lando, on 19 November, battered the Visayas and Mindanao islands killing 
ten people and causing an estimated P65 million (US $1.51 million) in 
damage.

250,000 evacuated

Typhoon Mina has triggered major evacuations with Philippine disaster 
preparedness officials saying that in all 250,000 people have now fled 
their homes or been evacuated to temporary facilities in southern Luzon 
provinces. In Albay Province, Governor Joey Salceda ordered a mandatory 
evacuation of residents from the slope of Mt Mayon volcano due to 
possible "lahar" - mud flows.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) deputy administrator, 
Anthony Golez, said Mina could likely affect other Luzon regions and 
urged provincial and local official to undertake 'precautionary 
measures." The typhoon is expected to also hit the provinces of Ifugao, 
Mountain Province, Benguet and Ilocos Sur.

Mina's threat has brought back memories of the catastrophe brought by 
super typhoon Reming in November 2006 and a string of others that year. 
Reming killed 1,200 people, left 200,000 homeless and triggered massive 
mudslides as it slammed into Bicol.

As Mina slowly moved toward Northern Luzon, President Gloria-Macapagal 
Arroyo presided Saturday afternoon, 24 November over a briefing of the 
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) - composed of social 
welfare, interior and local government, public works and the health 
departments, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PAGASA, the Philippine 
National Red Cross and other agencies including the police and the 
National Food Authority to assess disaster preparations. Earlier on the 
24th, she ordered the "pre-emptive evacuation of residents in threatened 
areas."

A culture of preparedness

NDCC deputy administrator, Anthony Golez, said the immediate response of 
provincial and local officials to disaster warnings due to typhoon Mina 
is a welcome development. "We are seeing a shift from a culture of 
response to a culture of preparedness."

In Auroro Province, the Governor, Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, said she 
has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents in coastal areas and 
barred fishermen from venturing to the sea. "We have no rubber boats for 
rescue operations and many of our villages are located along the coast," 
she said. She asked President Arroyo for the military to provide rubber 
boats in case of rescue operations.

In Isabela Province, Governor Grace Padaca asked the NDCC for 
assistance, before and during the typhoon, pointing out that the 
province has yet to recover from the onslaught of the last typhoon. "We 
don't want a repeat", she said, of what happened during typhoon Kabayan 
in early November in which nine people died.

On high-alert status

At the NDCC briefing, the National Red Cross assured a steady supply of 
blood. It also assured provincial governors its local chapters are on 
24-hour alert. Health Secretary Francisco Duque has ordered all 
hospitals in north Luzon to be on "white" alert - a high-alert status - 
and able to do their part if needed in emergency and disaster 
operations.

Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said local social welfare 
offices are now coordinating with local governments and have quick 
response teams activated in north Luzon evacuation centers.

National disaster response advisor for the UN Office for the 
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Ronaldo Reario told IRIN 
that government, from the national, provincial to the local levels, has 
become "more aggressive" in responding to potential disaster situations. 
He said, "There is a significant improvement . . . government is able to 
respond immediately, compared to past experiences," adding, "there is 
now serious anticipation of hazards to the vulnerable groups."


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -