Help one another, Noy asks Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Help one another, President Aquino called on the Filipino people as the nation braces for the onslaught of Typhoon Ruby.

“All of us here were looking forward to having a quiet Christmas this year, to taking a breather and finding the time to recharge for 2015” but “as you are all well aware, Typhoon Ruby confronts us as a nation,” Aquino said in a speech at the Bulong Pulungan on Friday.

The President said every sector should be responsible, including the media in its reporting, so that people in affected areas would be guided instead of being unduly alarmed.

“Even as we ponder this point, let us bear in mind that it is the Christmas season, and it is incumbent upon all of us to demonstrate goodwill and good cheer,” Aquino said.

The President said his briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reminded everyone “that we must do our utmost, leave nothing to chance, improve where we can, and match what we have done so well in the past.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who is in Eastern Samar as head of the national government frontline team, said over dzRB yesterday the President is receiving regular updates on the typhoon.

Roxas said Filipinos who wanted to help could donate to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“We know what is needed: noodles, canned goods, candles, batteries, blankets, mats, of course, rice... medicines,” he said.

Roxas said typhoon victims would also need tarpaulins, dry clothes, jackets and plastic.

He said supply routes would be cleared to ensure there would be no delay in the delivery of assistance.

“To Samar and the rest of the Visayas, let us help one another to overcome Ruby,” Roxas said, adding the people should be alert and not be hard-headed. He also advised residents not to resist evacuation to save their families.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Roxas also reminded local officials of the President’s directive to verify the accuracy of evacuation reports.

Local officials were tasked to certify the figures, for which they will be held accountable, Lacierda said.

Quick reaction teams Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reactivated its quick reaction teams (QRT)s in preparation for the typhoon.

 Baldoz said QRTs must be ready to assess the extent of the damage of the typhoon to firms and establishments and provide DOLE’s package of assistance to affected workers.

 She said the “cash-for-work” system should be in place for the affected residents. DOLE programs such as the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers and Negosyo sa Kariton and Kabuhayan Starter Kits should be made available to the victims, she added.

Baldoz had also directed the DOLE’s Financial Management Service to set aside DOLE funds for emergency employment.

No to price hike

Amid reports of panic buying, Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez during a Mass on Friday appealed to traders not to raise the prices of commodities.  

“Do not take advantage of others at this time of calamity. You’re not the only ones who have the right to live… it is a great sin against God and against love of your suffering brothers and sisters to use these trying times for your personal economic advantage,” Varquez said.

The diocese has opened the doors of its churches and seminary to residents evacuated from coastal communities.

Meanwhile, acting Health Secretary Janette Garin ordered field officials to transfer pregnant women in evacuation centers to government hospitals. She said regional directors and heads of government hospitals should visit evacuation centers on a daily basis.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson ordered building contractors with projects along the path of the typhoon to observe safety measures. 

“All building contractors are directed to secure overhead cranes on top of buildings under construction and to provide safety signages in areas where there are potential risks of falling debris,” he said.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in northern Luzon has prepared for deployment its linemen to attend to fallen power lines.

Telecoms set up facilities

 The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s Smart Communications and Sun Cellular provided wireless broadband devices and additional mobile phones to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to be used for hotline coordination with the NDRRMC.

 PLDT is also installing five additional landlines and DSL data link for the OCD and TD-LTE wireless broadband links for the three command centers in Cebu City.

Various units reporting to the OCD have also been posting updates and reports via Batingaw, a mobile application co-developed by the agency, where users can post geo-located status with photos, among other emergency response functionalities such as sending safety status via text messages.

Globe Telecom corporate social responsibility director Fernando Esguerra said the company would set up communications facilities in the areas on the typhoon’s track.

“We want to be ready for any eventuality. We are empowering the local government units concerned to conduct libreng tawag service if the need arises,” Esguerra said in a statement.

“We are equipping them with emergency communication facilities so that they can do this while our security personnel are focused on ensuring that Globe employees and our systems are safe and intact,” he added.

Globe said portable generator sets would also be on standby in case of power interruption. 

Share a ride

In Ormoc City, councilors urge residents to “share a ride” and “share their homes” with typhoon victims.

“Maybe they can adopt a family or two for a day or two,” Councilor Bennet Pongos Jr. said.

As of early yesterday morning, some 4,500 families are staying in evacuation centers. –With Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan, Janvic Mateo, Lawrence Agcaoili, Raymund Catindig, Lalaine Jimenea