(Updated 2:50pm). Command posts. Rescue. Rubber boats & trucks needed. There are enough valiant and brave rescue personnel, not enough safe transport.
Update 2:50pm (from inquirer.net). You may get in touch with the “rescue command post” nearest you, if you or anyone you know, need/ needs assistance. See list below:
“MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has set up six advanced command posts across Metro Manila to expedite the rescue operations in affected areas.
“These are:
“1. MMDA Edsa Timog Base
Commander Ryan Castaneda 0947-8193135 and 0932-8447413
AOR: Whole QC
“2. MMDA Aurora Katipunan Base
Commander: Eduard Gonzales 0917-5875458
AOR: Pasig, Marikina
“3. Malabon City Hall
Commander: Ed Avan 09065129676
AOR; Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela
“4. South Base
ACP: MMDA Base Alabang Viaduct near Metropolis
Commander: Dir. Alex Umagat 0918-9486017
AOR: Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Las Pinas
“5. Gwapotel, Roxas Boulevard (near DPWH bldg)
Commander: Dir. Amante Salvador 09228102355
AOR: Manila
“6. Central base at thge MMDA Flood Control Information Center
Commander; Dir. Lydia Domingo 09163975798
AOR: San Juan, Pasay, Taguig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Makati
Rescue operations on-going. Government does not have enough equipment. Corporations, organizations, construction companies, that have six-by-six trucks, rubber boats, etc., are being asked to lend their equipment to the NDRRMC. Lives can still be saved.
[Actually, in a life-and-death emergency, of apocalyptic proportions, e.g., if there were an Ondoy-like flooding, if thousands were being swept by strong currents, and would certainly drown or would be buried alive if not rescued, the government, upon just compensation to the parties concerned, could legally use the nearest private resources if it were the only way to save those lives… but only in those dire circumstances. That situation is not upon us and hopefully will never be. There is time. Voluntary assistance can save the day — and, in the long-term, having enough comfortable and habitable evacuation centers with provisions and toilets for preemptive evacuation, enough rescue equipment, trained personnel, and a disaster-prepared populace.]
To be fair, PAGASA (the weather bureau), local government units, and media organizations, gave us a three-to-four hour heads-up. GMA News announced the red warning a few minutes after the PAGASA tweet, ABS-CBN cast the widest net of field reporters 24 hours ago and had a non-stop coverage since then. Good job by these organizations.
We learned.
(Preemptive evacuation, a little better than those of previous floodings; can still be improved with completion of the Noah Project and construction of more habitable evacuation centers. Rescue operations — another matter. Strategic, long-term relocation, another matter.)
More than 20,000 families in Bulacan and Pampanga, whose houses are still submerged in flood waters, have not had clean drinking water and food for several days now.
The following organizations have the capability of bringing donations to these families: Donations may be sent by contacting the following numbers:
Volunteers who want to help in repacking relief good may also get in touch with:
NDRRMC at 911-1406 (National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council)
DSWD NROC at 852-8081 and 851-2681 (Department of Social Welfare National Resource Operations Center)
Philippine Red Cross: Donors through text messaging can type RED (space) AMOUNT and send this to 2899 for Globe or 4143 for Smart. Those who would like to donate through G-Cash can text DONATE (space) AMOUNT (space) 4-digit M-PIN (space) REDCROSS and send this to 2882.
Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN at 411-4995; the Sagip Kapamilya team is at the Pinoy Big Brother Concert hall at Eugenio Lopez Drive, collecting and repackaging relief goods
GMA (Channel 7) Kapuso Foundation: 928-4299; 928-9351. Donors may deposit their donations in the Kapuso Foundation’s bank accounts, or send these through Cebuana Lhuillier branches
