The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has advised the public to make ready a 72-hour survival kit as national and local government agencies prepare for the possible effects of the latest weather disturbance to hit the country.

NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said an inter-agency coordination was conducted Friday morning to check on the operational readiness of all concerned agencies, relief goods stockpiling, disaster response and relief operations personnel and equipment deployment.

“In addition, owners of billboard tarpaulins are advised to fold or bring down their tarpaulins,” according to Torres.

Aside from the collective preparations being undertaken, Torres said individual family preparedness is encouraged such as readying a 72-hour survival kit containing compact food and rice stocks stored in a plastic container.

The NDCC advised the public to be ready with non-food items in a bag like radio, flashlight and battery, basic tools, beddings, utensils, clothing, toiletries, first aid kit, and an organizer for their important documents as well as a family evacuation plan.

Under the contingency plans, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-NCR Command shall focus in the areas of Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, and Makati while the Philippine National Police will secure Las Pinas, Quezon City, Manila, San Juan, and Mandaluyong.

The Philippine Coast Guard shall focus on Muntinlupa City and the Bureau of Fire Protection in the CAMANAVA area of Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

The Army has also put its field units in Luzon on full standby.

“Despite the upcoming holiday and the ongoing relief and nation-building activities, the Philippine Army readies itself for the strike of tropical cyclone Santi in the country,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

Burgos said with the mobilization of the newly-activated Multi-Role Force (MRF) or the Army Contingent for Emergency (ACE) Battalion, the Army is more prepared with the new weather disturbance.

He said two companies of the MRF Battalion are ready to be dispatched in a very short notice. With them are life-saving device, two rubber boats and two motorized boats.

“Fresh from their special training on disaster rescue and relief operations in Laguna and Metro Manila, the troops from the MRF Battalion are ready to help the citizens with their enhanced knowledge and skills on disaster response,” Burgos said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its part placed its emergency workforce on 24-hour alert to respond to emergencies throughout the metropolis.

The alert teams composed of 700 personnel are in strategic locations in Makati, Timog, C-5 and Ortigas Avenue.

They are equipped with heavy equipment and tools for clearing, rescue, relief, and evacuation efforts.

“Our emergency personnel will be placed on a 24/7 alert. They are properly equipped for all kinds of emergencies,” MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said.

Fernando also issued disaster alert advisories to local government units to execute preemptive measures to prevent losses to lives and property.

The MMDA workforce is tasked to remove uprooted trees, fallen billboards, mud and garbage strewn on the roads, and to de-clog drainage systems to ease traffic and prevent heavy flooding.

The Taguig City government for its part said it has mobilized the city’s 28 Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils in preparation for typhoon Santi’s onslaught.

Vice Mayor George Elias said preparations have also been made for the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas should the need arise.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco also alerted offices of the City Disaster Coordinating Council and the Liga ng mga Barangay to immediately activate their special units in the next 72 hours.

Tiangco also directed the Flood Control Monitoring Team of the City Engineering Office to see to it that all pumping stations are fully operational and that all drainage systems are functional.(Reports from Elena Aben, Anna Liza Villas, Jean Fernando, Ed Mahilum)