As we type this, the skies over Metro Manila have already become dark, and the MMDA has already begun preparing for a potentially catastrophic weather event.
According to the latest bulletin from PAGASA, Typhoon Mangkhut--which is packing 140kph maximum sustained winds and gusts of up to 170 kph--will be entering the Philippine area of responsibility today. The PAGASA website states: The typhoon may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this afternoon (12 September) and will be named 'Ompong'. The typhoon is threatening Northern Luzon and may traverse the Cagayan-Batanes area.
Metro Manila will be affected. Here's the list of gear that the MMDA has at the ready--just in case:
|
Unit |
Equipment |
Quantity |
Location |
| PSD | Rubber boat | 4 | Napindan |
| Rescue van | 1 | Orense | |
| Military truck | 2 | Napindan | |
| Pasig Ferry | Trash boat | 2 | Guadalupe Station |
| Trash skimmer | 1 | Guadalupe Station | |
| Passenger boat | 2 | Guadalupe Station | |
| REG | Ambulance | 7 | Roxas Blvd., Ortigas, Timog, Libis, Tandang Sora, Nagtahan Base |
| Tow truck | 2 | Orense, Ortigas Base | |
| Military truck | 2 | Orense, Timog Base | |
| Fire truck | 2 | Orense, Timog Base | |
| Boom Truck | 1 | Timog Base | |
| Chainsaw | 7 | Orense, Timog Base | |
| Rescue Battalion | Life Vest | 100 | Napindan |
| Ring Buoys | 100 | Napindan | |
| TEC | Dump truck | 1 | Road Safety Unit |
| Boom truck | 1 | Road Safety Unit | |
| MPCG | Chainsaw | 4 | Road Safety Unit |
| Wing van | 2 | Road Safety Unit | |
| Pickup | 2 | Road Safety Unit | |
| Man lifter | 2 | Road Safety Unit | |
| Telescopic pruner | 3 | Road Safety Unit | |
| FCSMO | 2-ton dump truck | 2 | 105 Base |
| 3-ton dump truck | 3 | Napindan | |
| 4 -ton dump truck | 3 | 105 Base | |
| 11-ton dump truck | 2 | Central Manila | |
| Hook lift truck | 3 | Napindan | |
| Cargo truck | 2 | Napindan | |
| Wing Van | 1 | 105 Base | |
| Water Truck | 1 | 105 Base | |
| Vacuum truck | 1 | 105 Base | |
| SRECO flushing Machine | 1 | 105 Base | |
| Pumper truck | 1 | Napindan | |
| Spider backhoe | 1 | Napindan | |
| Rough-terrain crane | 2 | Napindan | |
| Truck-mounted crane | 1 | Napindan | |
| Military Truck | 1 | North Manila FCOD | |
| Low-bed truck | 1 | Napindan | |
| Truck tractor | 1 | Napindan | |
| HPSEPMO-MSSO | Van | 2 | Napindan, Guadalupe |
| Cargo truck | 1 | Guadalupe | |
| Mini bus | 1 | Napindan | |
Does that put you at ease? In any case, we really should make preparations of our own as well, especially if we have no choice but to get behind the wheel.
For our readers in Northern Luzon, do stay safe and dry. We hope that we don't have a repeat of Typhoon Ondoy.
