Pagasa: Brace for more storms in December

THE spate of strong typhoons that devastated the country this month may be over, but expect one or two more storms in December, the national weather agency said Friday. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Administrator Nathaniel Servando said no low-pressure area or potential storm is predicted to form inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility for the rest of November. Servando said the approaching northeast monsoon or "amihan" will determine if the December storms will be as powerful as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Pepito. "If a tropical cyclone would enter, say on the first week of December, there is a chance that it will be stronger." Any storm that hits later in December is unlikely to develop into a super typhoon, Servando said. "This is because there is already the influence of the northeast monsoon." The storms that hit the Philippines in quick succession left millions of disrupted lives in their wake. In its latest situation report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said close to 4 million people, or 1 million families, were affected by storms Nika, Ofel and Pepito. The Bicol region had the most affected individuals, numbering almost 2 million. Cagayan Valley had 809,637, and Eastern Visayas had 408,593. The series of storms also swept across Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and Cordillera. The number of deaths remained at 12. There were 14 persons injured and 3 missing. Damage to infrastructure was placed at P2,712,898,584, and for agriculture, P52,391,642. Close to 10,000 houses were destroyed; 43,790 were partially damaged. The NDRRMC said 95 seaports were temporarily closed, and classes in 744 areas and work schedules in 447 areas were suspended. Because of the widespread destruction, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno reiterated the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilience in the Philippines, which ranks first on the World Risk Index due to its vulnerability to natural hazards. "Being at the top of the World Risk Index is not a badge of honor; it serves as a warning for all of us," he said in a statement Thursday night. Nepomuceno said the Philippines faces a dual threat from typhoons and earthquakes, being situated in the Typhoon Belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire. He outlined a comprehensive approach that includes long-term engineering solutions, such as developing integrated river basin management systems, including dams and catch basins. "The key to reducing our vulnerability lies in preparation and the establishment of a resilient infrastructure," he said. Nepomuceno also stressed the importance of urban planning and public discipline in preventing disasters. "We must cultivate a culture of resilience, where even our children understand the importance of not littering in rivers," he said. With more than 20,000 trained rescue personnel across various agencies, Nepomuceno reiterated the need for collective action. "Disaster response is not solely the government's responsibility; it requires the involvement of the entire community to ensure we are better prepared for future calamities," he said. He acknowledged the complexities of evacuation and response efforts, particularly in the aftermath of natural hazards. "Short-term evacuation is our immediate line of defense against potential fatalities," he said. Nepomuceno called on local governments to invest more in disaster preparedness. "Local government units are our first responders, and they must be equipped and ready to act swiftly," he said. He said the country must learn from international partners such as Japan, which have efficient disaster response systems. "While we have trained personnel and responders, we must continue to invest in equipment and infrastructure to improve our overall response capabilities," he said.