BBM: Issue timely cyclone advisories

A week after monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Carina devastated Metro Manila and nearby provinces, President Marcos instructed agencies to provide timely advisories of upcoming cyclones to ensure public safety.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

"We are committed to developing technology to protect lives from future calamities," Marcos posted on Facebook.

La Niña preparations were discussed yesterday during a sectoral meeting led by Marcos at Malacañang.

Around 1.3 million families or 4.8 million people in 17 regions, 63 provinces and 4,227 barangays were affected by the combined weather disturbances, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The death toll was at 39, with nine injured and 732,000 people in 557 evacuation centers.

Damage to infrastructure reached P4.26 billion and agricultural damage was at P551.78 million.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan yesterday said the implementation of the flood control master plan could reduce Metro Manila flooding by 70 to 80 percent.

Asked if the plan would be fully implemented within Marcos' term, Bonoan said, "Maybe not all, I think we'll try to maximize whatever we can during this administration."