MMDA still on alert for more typhoons

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday it remains on alert for typhoon “Juan” and other storms.

MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno said as of yesterday, the agency and its personnel are on “yellow alert” following the implementation of its “Operation Plan (Oplan) Unos” last Saturday. Nacianceno said the alert level was raised in anticipation of the heavy rain to be brought by the typhoon.

Oplan Unos was launched by the MMDA last July under its comprehensive typhoon response plan with the onset of the rainy season.

Also known as the inclement weather emergency preparedness and response plan, Oplan Unos defines the participation of every MMDA unit during disaster management operations in Metro Manila.

The MMDA said Oplan Unos will serve as the basis for the agency in the delivery of essential services needed by the residents of Metro Manila during inclement weather.

Under the MMDA’s inclement weather plan, a disaster response task force will also be immediately formed, headed either by the agency’s general manager or deputy chairman.

The task force is composed of the following groups: emergency operations support, flood mitigation, traffic management, rescue and evacuation, debris removal and road clearing, hazard abatement, and the emergency operations control and coordination center.

Under the plan, the MMDA will declare three alert levels in Metro Manila during a typhoon or heavy downpour.

A yellow alert is declared when Metro Manila has endured 30 minutes of continuous heavy rains; a blue alert when Metro Manila is under storm signal number one or heavy downpour is experienced for at least one hour; and red alert, when storm signal number two is raised in Metro Manila.