From 'portalets' to satellite phone: Govt all geared up vs Juan

A personal assurance from President Benigno Aquino III, a satellite phone system, and a high-alert status for police and health workers highlighted the government's final preparations for super typhoon Juan (Megi). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday evening said it has activated a satellite phone donated by the European Union to act as backup communication system. "Satellite phone earlier donated by the European Union through Telecom Sans Frontier had been activated for use in case of local communication breakdown," NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said in a 6 p.m. preparedness report. NDRRMC also said the Health and Social Welfare departments are ready to set up porta-lets (portable toilets) in evacuation centers. At least 180 watercraft, 562 trucks, 153 ambulances, and 633 engineering assets have been deployed to Northern and Central Luzon for possible emergency situation. Classes on Monday are suspended in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera.

PNoy support President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, personally assured residents of Cagayan province of support from the national government amid the threat from typhoon Juan. Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio said President Aquino called him up and told him and other provincial officials his government is ready to give "support and assistance." "He personally called officials of the province of Cagayan to assure us kung ano ang kakailanganin (they will provide us with what we need), the national government is willing to give support and assistance to the province and to Cagayanons," Antonio said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday night. Alvaro said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman also called him up to assure assistance. "Sec. Soliman called up this morning and assured us what will be needed, ang pangangailangan tutugunan ng probinsya (they will help provide what we need), they will give us their support," he said. Alvaro said he is thankful to Aquino for the offer of support and assistance. Cagayan, along with Isabela, had been placed under Storm Signal No. 4 as Juan intensified further. Code white As this developed, health authorities went on Code White alert in preparation for the arrival of the typhoon. NDRRMC said this was one of the courses of action taken following an emergency meeting Sunday morning. "Drugs, medicines and medical supplies at the provincial level were prepositioned by the Centers for Health Development," Ramos said in a report posted on the NRDDMC website Sunday afternoon. Under Code White Alert, ambulance and medical teams were placed on standby, he said. The Philippine Red Cross also has standby equipment for water search and rescue, and ambulances that can go to priority areas. Ramos also reported the Philippine National Police in the entire Luzon went on full alert. The Bureau of Fire Protection also went on heightened alert and deployed personnel, fire trucks and rubber boats in areas likely to be affected. Meanwhile, the Department of Education activated quick response teams in regional offices and advised regional directors concerned to announce class suspension. "DepEd will coordinate to ensure that the education and classes will not be affected and disrupted in most likely to be affected areas," NDRRMC said. For its part, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines activated its command centers nationwide and coordinates with PAGASA on typhoon tracking. - KBK, GMANews.TV