‘Reming’ puts Metro on edge

Mindful of the havoc caused by typhoon "Milenyo," Metro Manila braced yesterday for supertyphoon "Reming," which was expected to hit the metropolis but later veered away to the south of Luzon.

City and municipal mayors mobilized rescue workers and other emergency personnel while people went home earlier than usual to avoid the expected heavy rain.

In Caloocan City, designs for a grand celebration to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio were scuttled.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri canceled all other activities for the day and met with officials to map out contingency plans in case Reming made a direct hit.

In Malabon City, Mayor Canuto Oreta ordered trucks, buses and an amphibious boat borrowed from the Philippine Navy ready to evacuate residents from flood-prone areas.

In Valenzuela, local government agencies were put on alert. Food and other emergency supplies were readied for distribution. Rescue and health volunteers were put on standby.

Officials kept a close watch on 13 flood-prone barangays, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Other activities for the day were canceled, including an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

In Manila, lanterns and other Christmas decorations along Roxas Boulevard and other main thoroughfares were taken down from electric posts.

"We are preparing for the worst but still hoping for the best," said Mayor Lito Atienza. He also warned residents living in low areas to take precaution.

In Navotas, Mayor Toby Tiangco directed the local disaster coordinating council to activate its emergency units and keep them on alert for the next 72 hours.

Tiangco also ordered the city government’s phone lines open on a 24-hour basis until the typhoon passes.

Local governments in southern Metro Manila, which was hit hard by Milenyo, also got their emergency crews ready.

In Muntinlupa City, at least eight barangays that were prone to floods were watched.

Residents living along shorelines were told to get ready for evacuation and trucks were put on standby to ferry them out.

"They will be accommodated in at least 10 schools and four covered courts around the city," said Jett Pabilonia, head of the city’s disaster coordinating council.

In Parañaque City, Mayor Florencio Bernabe directed officials including barangay chairmen to start preparing evacuation centers.

Residents in Barangays La Huerta, Tambo and Don Galo were told to get ready for evacuation because of nearby rivers.

Nelson Lacambra, Bernabe’s spokesman, said teams have also been tasked to pack relief goods that will be distributed to families that will be displaced by Reming.

In Taguig City, the local disaster coordinating council mobilized all concerned local government agencies.

City administrator Wilfredo Villar called an emergency meeting to ensure that all departments of the local government involved in disaster preparedness would be ready to respond.

Barangay officials were directed to take charge of residents living in low areas.

Villar tasked Office of Social Welfare and Development head Nitz Jordan and Executive Assistant for Education Tess Umali to oversee all evacuation proceedings.

Umali said among the schools that will be used as evacuation centers are the Napindan Elementary School, Tipas Elementary School Main and Annex, C.P. Tiñga Elementary School, R. Papa High School and the Bagong Tanyag Elementary School.

A center will be on a 24-hour operation at the office of Mayor Sigfrido Tinga. — With Rhodina Villanueva, Nestor Etolle