Disaster Quick Response Teams Mobilized for TS ‘Marce’

Quick response teams of the National Disaster Risk Response and Management Council (NDRRMC) have been mobilized for possible contingencies as “Marce” intensifies into a tropical storm.

The teams, supported by 1,544 staffers, consist of members from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Provincial/Municipal Action Teams, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said.

The DSWD has also placed on standby relief funds and goods.

Since Thursday, the NDRRMC is on “blue” alert status for continuous monitoring of the weather disturbance.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Marce” has intensified into a tropical storm as it headed for Panay island.

The storm was tracked 85 kilometers east-southeast of Roxas City, Capiz. It has winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 110 kph.
“Marce” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Areas placed under tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 2 were Romblon, Calamian Group of Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Antique.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in areas under Signal Number 2 and 1, PAGASA said.

It also warned of flashfloods and landslides in areas placed under storm signals, the rest of the Bicol region and Marinduque and Quezon provinces. (PNA)JMC/PFN