Government agency prepares for Butchoy

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Abigail Valte who is the deputy presidential spokeswoman, said tornado warnings have already been circulated to the alarmed government agencies. She said, “From what we understand, the regional and the field offices of Department of Social Welfare and Development, the local DRRMCs as well as the teams of Department of Health, ‘yung for clearing road…’yung DPWH naka-pre-positioned na po sila.”

Government bureau was fully prepared for the tropical storm “Butchoy” that has entered the country before noon Thursday. The Quick Response Team was warned at the regional level by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and was ready for operation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on this Friday, that P9.21 million were pre-positioned for relief supplies and P3.44 million funds were reserved.

The NDRRMC has changed its status to blue alert on Thursday, which indicated that they need adequate personnel on standby to respond instantaneously to any situation. The police as well as the military were also on standby for the operations.

Valte said, “All the agencies have been alerted and have been on standby already.” She also uttered that the government was observing the low pressure area, which affected provinces in Mindanao such as Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

She said the Department of Health, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Public Works and Highways have prepared themselves for the storm. She guaranteed that there was sufficient amount of standby funds for all the regions, which were expected to be affected by the Butchoy.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather division Chief Robert Sawi said, “the Butchoy will pass near eastern Visayas and Bicol and eventually it will re-curve. All models show that it will re-curve in the next 48 hours and swerve toward southern islands of Japan (Okinawa) in the next three to four days.”

She also urged the local disaster risk reduction managers and the public to be prepared and take defensive actions as a high pressure area over the Pacific Ocean was affecting the movement of Butchoy.