MMDA prepares rescue assets for super typhoon Pepito

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority personnel check the readiness of rescue equipment at the MMDA office in Pasig City in preparation for possible deployment on October 23 as Tropical Storm Kristine batters parts of the country. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA— The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) inspected its rescue assets and equipment on Sunday for deployment in response to super typhoon #PepitoPH.

Among those assets ready to be deployed are fiberglass boats, aluminum boats, rubber boats, life vests, and rescue vehicles. 

“Nag-update tayo ng inventory ng assets kung saan sila naka-position at napag-agree-han namin na ico-consolidate namin ‘yan sa MMDA para sa dispatching ay centralized,” according to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes. 

They collaborated with local government units in Metro Manila and national government agencies to ensure preparedness and a unified approach to disaster response. 

The MMDA also introduced new technology to map the locations of assets, including government equipment, hospitals, and evacuation centers, to improve response times during disasters.  

READ: Super Typhoon Pepito fells trees, power lines in the Philippines

“Actually isa po siyang programa na ginagamit for developmental planning, nilagyan na lang po natin ng additional feature which is disaster response,” Artes explained. 

“Kung kailangan po ng responde, alam po natin ‘yung pinakamalapit na naka-preposition na asset, ‘yun po ‘yung ita-tap natin para mas maikli ‘yung disaster response,” he added. 

Authorities advised the public to stay indoors during the typhoon, urging everyone to remain alert and follow official instructions to ensure safety and prevent incidents.