PGMA orders ‘pre-positioning’ of relief goods in calamity-prone areas

Manila (20 October) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the “pre-positioning” of relief goods and medical supplies in calamity-prone areas in case typhoon “Ramil” (international codename: Lupit) hits the country.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Presidential Assistant Lorelei Fajardo said the President issued the order to ensure that medicines, food, service and personnel are readily deployable in the event of an emergency.

“Emergency medical services, soldiers, policemen, choppers, volunteers and rescuers are already in calamity prone areas such as Regions 1, 2, 3 and CAR (Cordillera Autonomous Region),” Fajardo said.

She said that even before Ramil entered the Philippine area of responsibility, communications between the national and local government and the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council “at each municipality” have been ongoing to ensure that they will be given (typhoon) alerts or warnings from time to time.

“She (President Arroyo) wants to ensure that there are relief goods, medicine and personnel ready to respond to any emergency at any moment’s notice,” Fajardo said. (PIA)