26 Hulio 2024, Biyernes
Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!
Register now and vote in midterm polls
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
FMJ to DPWH: Fix damaged Navotas gate
By Nidz Godino
“What is our remedy…maybe we can at least block water or is there something we can do…at least as an emergency measure and then we can go back and repair it properly,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately come up with remedy to damaged navigational gate in Navotas that has been causing severe flooding in the city and nearby areas.
During briefing on effects of Typhoon Carina at the Presidential Security Command headquarters, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said gate would be repaired within a month.
However, five barangays in Malabon and three barangays in Navotas would continue to experience floods even if there are no typhoons while bridge is undergoing repair, the MMDA chief stressed.
Marcos then asked DPWH whether something could be done to prevent floods while repair is ongoing.
“Maybe put sandbags or something… I don’t know…but we have to get engineer to look at it and to tell us what we can do,” he added.
Gate, inspected by Marcos was damaged in June after barge forcefully entered channel from the sea going to shipyard.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said F. Manalo Bridge, hit by 13 barges and tugboats because of strong current in Marikina River, would undergo reconstruction.
According to him, bridge’s freeboard is too low and is not really designed for barges to pass through.
“We’re going to reconstruct this bridge eventually…we have funds for it, Mr. President… just matter of going through design,” he said.
Bridge is temporarily closed while authorities are checking damage it sustained.
“So, what we need to do there is to get assessment as to whether or not we can use the bridge…really most important thing right now because what we’re trying to do is to… distribute whatever help, whatever assistance is required…but we have to know where that assistance is required,” Marcos said.
Artes said MMDA has coordinated with coast guard to determine how to remove barges.
Marcos also directed agencies to address “weaknesses” in informing local governments about release of excess water from dams.
“If we decide to open dams and if it is about to spill over, downstream communities should be aware of it,” he said, adding local governments should be given three to four hours to prepare for release of dam water.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured local government units (LGUs) affected by Carina that it is ready to “replenish” supply of family food packs (FFPs) they have given to flood and typhoon victims.
“It’s noteworthy to point out that there’s another 100,000 requests that came in…so, it would bring us to 500,000 family food packs,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
DSWD chief said they have already released total of 360,228 FFPs to various regional offices severely affected by super typhoon and monsoon.
This is broken down as follows: 39,038 National Capital Region; 171,147 Central Luzon; 90,957 for Calabarzon; 38,766 for Mimaropa; and for Bicol 20,000.
Based on July 25 report of DSWD, there are 101,509 families or 393,962 persons affected by twin weather disturbance from 1,004 barangays.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also launched extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across affected regions.
AFP has deployed nine search, rescue and retrieval teams from 2nd infantry division and five from Joint Task Force National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force 505th search and rescue group, in collaboration with Pasay City government, successfully rescued and evacuated approximately 100 residents affected by flooding on July 24.
Emergency employment awaits workers displaced due to Typhoon Carina, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma directed all DOLE offices to provide assistance to typhoon-affected workers through Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Department of Migrant Workers has also assisted overseas Filipino workers whose flights were canceled due to typhoon.
Department of Health (DOH) sees possible surge in leptospirosis and other flood-related diseases.
Unless appropriate precautionary measures are immediately taken, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said hospital emergency rooms could be filled with patients a week after massive flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Herbosa ordered immediate release of one million doses of Doxycycline to protect those who have been exposed to flood from leptospirosis.
He stressed Doxycycline is prescription drug and cannot be taken without consulting doctor.
At least 11 health facilities, including four DOH-retained hospitals, were partially damaged by Typhoon Carina but Herbosa said all health facilities are operational.
He stressed Philippine General Hospital is back in full operation after closing its outpatient services for a day due to massive flooding.
Government hospitals and other health facilities in Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila are now under code blue.
Based on DOH data, 835 evacuation centers are housing over 38,000 families or 277,431 individuals from various parts of the country.
State-run pension funds Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) opened their emergency loan programs to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Carina.
For GSIS, it has set aside P18.5 billion in emergency loans to assist 864,089 members and pensioners in Metro Manila, Batangas and Rizal that are all under state of calamity.
Members and pensioners may apply for emergency loans starting today until Oct. 28.
GSIS members who have existing emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous balance and still receive maximum net amount of P20,000.
Those without existing emergency obligations, as well as pensioners may apply for P20,000 loan.
For SSS, members may borrow loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000.
Members should have at least 36 monthly contributions and should be below 65 years old to avail themselves of calamity loan.
Meanwhile, government agencies can still tap P11 billion in disaster funds to support disaster rescue and relief operations, according to the Department of Budget and Management.
ISKUP! 