Aquino pleased with govt preps, response to 'Juan'

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Tuesday said he was very pleased with various government agencies' preparations against Typhoon Juan and their response to areas affected by the weather disturbance. "Of course I am very pleased," Aquino said in a text message when asked if he was satisfied with the government's actions against the typhoon. More than two months ago, Aquino fired then Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) chief Prisco Nilo for failing to predict that Typhoon Basyang would ravage Metro Manila. But Aquino appears to be satisfied with PAGASA, which is now under the leadership of its officer-in-charge Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul. "PAGASA, with its accurate and timely predictions, enabled all other agencies to be ready," said Aquino. He noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units responded almost immediately in clearing affected roads. Aquino said that since he has not received information from governors regarding relief supplies, he is presuming that food and non-food items prepositioned by LGUs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development at evacuation centers were adequate.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said Monday that Aquino instructed them to provide evacuation centers with food supplies good for seven days instead of the previous three days. In his text message, the president said power in affected areas was shut off Monday as a "precautionary measure." "Power has been restored in several areas but inspection of lines still ongoing. We expect power to be fully restored once the inspections are completed," said Aquino. Typhoon Juan made landfall in northern Sierra Madre shortly before noon Monday. At the time, it was packing maximum winds of 225 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. The typhoon knocked out power and telecommunications lines and caused some roads to become impassable. PAGASA said Metro Manila and Central Luzon can still expect rains from "Juan" for Tuesday. It said its projections indicate that "Juan" may not exit Philippine territory until at least Wednesday night or Thursday morning. — RSJ, GMANews.TV