Photos courtesy of JTF NCR
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — In preparation for the potential impact of heavy rains and flooding due to severe weather events, the Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF NCR), Office of Civil Defense National Capital Region (OCD NCR), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted inspections of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) equipment to ensure their readiness and operability.
JTF NCR Commander Brigadier General Macaambac, together with OCD-NCR Regional Director George F. Keyser, and Atty. Crisanto C. Saruca Jr. of MMDA MPSO conducted a series of inspections and assessed the readiness of response equipment across key units.
“Our mission to defend Metro Manila and provide civil defense requires us to be fully prepared for any disaster, and these inspections are crucial to that readiness,” said Macaambac.
The team visited and assessed the personnel and equipment of the Naval Task Group-NCR located at Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City and the Air Task Group-NCR at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to ensure they are fully prepared for disaster response operations.
Likewise, a follow-up inspection was conducted at the 525th Combat Engineering Battalion, Philippine Army in Libis, Quezon City and assessed the capabilities of the unit as part of JTF NCR’s strategy for swift and coordinated emergency responses.
State weather bureau PAGASA on Monday warned that the southwest monsoon, known as habagat, along with tropical depression Gener, is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to parts of Luzon and the Visayas this week, including regions already experiencing flooding.
In its bulletin released Monday morning, PAGASA indicated that from Monday through Thursday, many areas in Luzon and the Visayas, including Metro Manila, will likely face moderate to intense rainfall due to the monsoon.
The agency cautioned that these conditions could result in further flooding and landslides triggered by the rain.
Additional flooding is anticipated in areas expecting heavy rains, particularly in parts of Metro Manila and Occidental Mindoro, which are already saturated.
Meanwhile, the JTF NCR in collaboration with other agencies, assures they remain dedicated to safeguarding the National Capital Region through strengthened disaster preparedness measures. (JEG/PIA-NCR)
