The Quezon City government is currently doing damage assessment and clearing operations following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
Mayor Joy Belmonte met with the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC) on Friday to discuss and assess the city’s response to the said typhoon.
“Tinalakay namin at tiningnang mabuti ang ginawang pagtugon ng lungsod bago, kasalukuyan at pagkatapos ng pagtama ng bagyo kung ito’y sapat ba o kailangang pag-ibayuhin pa,” Belmonte.
“Napakalaking bagay ito dahil nakita natin kung paano pa mapapaganda at mapapabilis ang serbisyo ng lokal na pamahalaan tuwing may kalamidad,” she added.
As of now, Belmonte said the city is focused on the massive clearing operations in areas that were heavily affected by Typhoon Ulysses.
“We are currently conducting massive clearing ops in areas that were heavily battered by the typhoon. We want to do it as quickly as we can to restore normalcy,” the Mayor said.
According to QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC-DRRMO) head Myke Marasigan, the city would welcome any support from the national government and the private sector to hasten the clearing operations.
“No flooded area right now but we are currently conducting clearing ops. Kung may mga puwedeng magbigay ng support, that would be welcome,” said Marasigan during the “Laging Handa” briefing on Friday.
Meanwhile, Belmonte expressed relief that the city sustained no casualty from the typhoon, as she thanked residents living along waterways and in low-lying areas for cooperating with the city government’s call for early evacuation.
“Karamihan ay sumunod sa pre-emptive evacuation kaya nga maaga kaming nagpalikas sa mga tao, walang nasaktan, walang nasugatan, zero casualty,” said Belmonte, adding that the city evacuated 3,221 families or 11,266 residents before the typhoon hit.
The city government has started sending the evacuees home after the typhoon signals have been removed. As of 2 p.m. on Friday, only 816 families remain in evacuation centers, mostly from Brgy. Bagong Silangan.
“Nilipat na sa temporary shelters ang mga nasalanta habang bahagi ng ating long-term solution ang in-city housing units para sa mga nakatira sa most badly affected areas during disasters, like Brgy Bagong Silangan,” said Belmonte.
The Mayor added that a Committee on Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation, composed of 19 city departments and offices, has been formed with the mandate to focus on rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods of people affected by calamities.
The city will also coordinate with the National Housing Authority in relocating and providing permanent housing to those living along the city’s waterways.
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