LAGUNA, 11 November - NNC CaLaBaRZon has intensified its emergency response as super typhoons threaten to continuously sweep across the country. Together with the DOH–Center for Health Development CaLaBaRZon Health Emergency Management Services and LGUs, it has constantly been making sure that nutrition commodities such as vitamin A capsules and micronutrient powder or MNP are sufficient for all its constituents.
Moreover, NNC CaLaBaRZon has been reminding the Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon to always stay alert and when needed, to deploy staff and nutrition workers to the evacuation centers to deliver nutrition services.
The NAOs were also instructed to accomplish and submit the Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment (NINA) tool every time there is an onset of typhoons for status updates and possible support. Text messaging and group messaging through social media were also activated to inform the NAOs and other nutrition staff to be always prepared for the aftermath of typhoons.
In foreseeing the possible damaging effects of typhoons, the LGUs have also made necessary preparations before any devastation takes place, particularly directing citizens in prone areas to evacuate ahead of time, cancel port operations and bar fishers from setting sail.
To date, Ulysses has intensified from a severe tropical storm into a typhoon, moving closer to the provinces of Quezon and Aurora. According to PAGASA, tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no.3 may be hoisted over portions of CaLaBaRZon.
A week ago, typhoon Rolly (international name, Goni), the strongest typhoon in the world so far in 2020 has left extensive destruction and damage in its path, killing at least 24 people, injuring 399 and displacing 130,266 people as of 9 November, according to reports from NDRRMC and DSWD. It will be recalled too that super typhoon Yolanda (international name, Haiyan) has left the Philippines devastated in 2013. Food assistance were most needed in these times.
Four more storms are expected before the year ends. Meanwhile, PAGASA is unrelentingly monitoring more typhoons that will be entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, prompting the government and its people to be vigilant and prepared.
By: Zarah Clarice T. Megino
