MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing equipment and personnel to deal with flashfloods during this rainy season following the devastation left by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” last year.
The PNP’s Maritime Group is commissioning 21 inflatable boats for rescue operations.
National Capital Region Police Office spokesman Superintendent Rommel Miranda said around 3,500 police officers, about 20 percent of the NCRPO’s force, have been training in disaster preparedness.
“We also have prepared our disaster response plan in anticipation of the rainy season that’s why we have been checking our equipment,” he said during a forum.
Miranda said the NCRPO now has 11 wooden boats, six rubber boats, one lifeboat and 20 six-by-six trucks to ferry stranded persons.
He said police officers have started regular disaster preparedness training after the two typhoons roared through Metro Manila last year.
Major parts of Metro Manila and Rizal were submerged in floodwaters and authorities initially could not do anything in the absence of rescue equipment.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has been helping the Philippine government by providing training to government personnel, particularly members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Department of Health and reconstructing infrastructure damaged by the two typhoons. - By Cecille Suerte Felipe
