Late Friday rains trigger floods in Manila

Friday’s early night rains triggered flooding in some parts of the city of Manila, a radio report said. DzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported the floods, which subsided early Saturday morning, prompted the city of Manila’s engineering office to conduct inspections at the flood-hit areas. The report said areas in Manila that were flooded included the Maceda Street in Sampaloc; the road area in front of the Manila City Hall; United Nations Ave., especially at the intersection of Romualdez Boulevard; and T.M. Kalaw Ave near Roxas Boulevard. PNP rubber boats Meanwhile, in an earlier report, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has commissioned 21 inflatable police rubber boats (PRBs) for anti-terrorism and disaster relief operations. According to the PNP Maritime Group, the lightweight and durable rubber boats can be inflated in less than three minutes and transported via helicopters or light trucks. In an article posted on the PNP website, it added each boat has a 60-horsepower outboard engine with individual trailers. Each boat also has a waterproof handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) and various rescue equipment. Some 75 Police Rubber Boats (PRBs) and 20 Police Fast Boats (PFBs) are to be commissioned into the Maritime Group as part of the five-year modernization program of the PNP. The police rubber boats will be distributed to various Regional Maritime Offices (RMOs) particularly in areas identified in hazard mapping as prone to flooding and water calamities. They will be primarily used for High Risk Tactical Maritime Interdiction including counter-terrorist operations along Philippine waters including ports, piers, harbors and coastal areas. — LBG, GMANews.TV