As of November 2, 2020, 06:00 PM, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte addressed the nation through a recorded speech to provide updates on the COVID-19 situation and the impact of Typhoon Rolly. Below are the highlights of the briefing:
- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade shared that despite the typhoon, the construction of the Bicol International Airport will be completed by the end of the year.
- He added that airports in Legazpi, Naga, Virac, Manila, Clark, Subic, and Sangley have already resumed operations. He also said that other airports in the country remain operational, except for those that are still making arrangements to comply with the requirements of their respective local governments in terms of safety and security.
- Sec. Tugade also updated that sea ports in San Andres (Catanduanes), and Tabaco and Pio Duran (Albay) have been hit hard by the typhoon. He has also provided instructions to fast track the repairs and maintenance.
- Sec. Tugade reported that train lines in Metro Manila remain operational and starting November, MRT-3 will be increasing its speed from 28 to 50 kilometers per hour. They are targeting to increase this further to 60kmph in December.
- On road updates, Sec. Tugade shared that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have increased the routes of public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila, as more than 72 percent of public utility vehicles have already resumed operations.
- While Typhoon Rolly remains in the country, Sec. Tugade advised to prepare for Typhoon Siony as it is already in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana estimated that Typhoon Siony will be hitting the country’s northern part between Batanes and Cagayan.
- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III reported that as of 3PM (Nov. 2, 2020), Code Blue remains in effect at the DOH Central Office in NCR as well as in Region IV-A. The Bicol Region is in Code Red.
- They have already Php 31 million worth of drugs, medicine, medical supplies, health kits, PPEs, and COVID-19 supplies and distributed to different regional offices in affected provinces.
- Php 21.7 million worth of commodities are still in the DOH Central Office Warehouse and are ready for immediate mobilization.
- Php 540,000 worth of hygiene kits and collapsible water drinking containers and Php 400,000 worth of assorted medicines have been allotted for LGUs in NCR.
- The Bicol Center for Health Development has already sent a request for response efforts for Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Masbate, at Sorsogon.
- DOH has already prepositioned for the last quarter of 2020 Php 350,000 worth of medicines and an additional Php 200,000 for more medicines and other supplies. Total logistics augmentation for Region V is at Php 1.5 million, and Rapid Health Assessment Teams have also been deployed.
- Sec. Duque has also reported on the total damages incurred in the different establishments and facilities in Region V. He added that communication lines, power, and water supply remain unstable.
- They also foresee a potential problem in the cold chain management of vaccines, COVID-19 test kits, and specimens if power does not resume quickly in affected areas.
- Sec. Duque shared that patients and healthcare equipment in isolation and quarantine facilities have been transferred to hotels, hospitals, and other safer facilities (temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF)). Other TTMFs where patients and equipment were transferred include Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Stadium, Filinvest Tent, PICC and Philippine Arena.
- They are currently working on post-disaster needs assessment for hospitals and other facilities including TTMFs in affected localities to provide further assistance once flooding subsides and after Typhoon Siony passes.
- Mental health services and psychosocial support are also provided to health personnel to ensure that health-related treatments continue to be provided, especially in disaster-struck areas.
- Sec. Duque called on LGUs, primary responders, and the public to ensure that minimum public health standards are followed, especially in evacuation centers. This includes maintaining minimum physical distance, wearing face masks, proper hygiene, and monitoring the health status of everyone in the evacuation centers.
- He also reminded everyone to remain vigilant of water-borne diseases and have encouraged the public to wear safety gears and be mindful of proper decontamination procedures in using water.
- Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reported that they were able to make contact in Catanduanes and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad promised to provide a C-130 plane to provide further assistance. Power remains to be out and communication can only be done through satellite phones.
- PRRD asked Sec. Roque to raise and pass on these concerns to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) so they can provide proper assistance in affected areas.
- PRRD discussed the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and tasked National Task Force Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. to handle the purchase, negotiation, manufacturing, production and distribution.
- During the time of the presser, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista reported that eight regions have been directly affected by Typhoon Rolly — 2,280 barangays with 150,982 families and 596,660 individuals. Update as of November 3, 2020:
- 70,576 families or 269,507 individuals are currently staying in 2,671 evacuation centers in the country’s six regions (NCR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol regions).
- 7,643 families or 30,052 persons camped outside evacuation centers, choosing to stay with their relatives and/or friends.
- There are a total of 119 damaged houses — 7 were totally damaged and 112 were partially damaged.
- DSWD has standby funds amounting to Php 281.24 million, Php 239.7 million of which is the available Quick Response Fund in the Central Office, with Php 596.16 million worth of available stockpiles.
- Around 277,448 family food packs worth Php 127.59 million are available for distribution.
- Sec. Bautista shared that prior to the typhoon’s landfall, the DSWD has already prepositioned family food packs and other food and non-food items to municipalities and provinces that will be within the pathway of the typhoon. Quick Response Teams were also purposely deployed to establish communications and provide real-time updates to DSWD’s Field Office Operation Center.
- They are also continuously coordinating with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through virtual meetings for real-time updating and immediate response.
- Moving forward, Sec. Bautista shared that the DSWD will:
- Continue to provide family food packs and non-food items.
- Provide camp coordination and management in all evacuation centers.
- Conduct case management to affected families so that to determine if they can avail of the other programs of the DSWD
- Include the assistance to individuals in crisis situations.
- Provide cash-for-work and the sustainable livelihood programs.
- Conduct rapid damage assessment and needs assessment of affected areas.
- Sec. Bautista shared that the DSWD’s Field Office 5 visited Catanduanes and conducted immediate damage and needs assessments and have resulted in allocation of two flights that will bring in family food packs and other food and non-food items.
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Administrator Vicente Malano first recapped the bulletins, warnings, and typhoon signals they issued in relation to Typhoon Rolly starting on October 29 leading up to the current situation.
- Malano also shared how they monitored the situation across the country and issued warnings wherever needed.
- He shared that Typhoon Siony is currently 620 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and is expected to impact extreme northern Luzon areas like Cagayan and Batanes.
- Malano reported that they are currently monitoring the status of the following dams: Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, Magat Dam, Pantabangan Dam, Angat Dam, and Caliraya Dam in Laguna and Rizal.
- For flood warnings and bulletins, Malano said that PAGASA already issued advisories to Pampanga, Agno, Bicol, Cagayan River Basins, CAR, NCR, Region II, Region III, IV-A, IV-B, Bicol Region, Region VI, and even in Central Visayas.
- PRRD clarified the name change that PAGASA does when typhoons enter the country since other countries simply follow the international name.
- Malano explained that they do not apply local names to tropical depressions which are considered as the lowest storm category. Thus, they are only given a local name once they have intensified and have entered PAR.
- PRRD then bantered with Malano saying the typhoons should be named after his critics.
- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar presented updates on the impact of different typhoons on the country’s Agriculture sector.
- Typhoon Rolly
- 68% of the damages were for rice, 28% were for high-value crops, and 3% were for corn.
- Typhoon Quinta
- Resulted in 2.9 billion pesos worth of losses.
- Typhoon Pepito
- Resulted in 120 million pesos worth of losses.
- These three typhoons have caused an estimate of 4.1 billion pesos worth of damage to the agriculture sector.
- Because of the advisories from PAGASA, the Department was able to save 1,071,344 metric tonnes of rice and 45,703 metric tonnes of corn. In pesos, this is valued at 16.9 billion and 579 million, respectively.
- Sec. Dar shared how the Department prepared and responded to the three typhoons.
- First, they activated the National and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Operation Centers while working closely with national government agencies, local government units, and other DRRM-related offices to brace for the impact of Typhoons Quinta and Rolly.
- The Department also closely coordinated with water management-related agencies for food monitoring and dam water releases.
- As the Department closely monitored the extent of the damage that the typhoons would cause the agriculture and fisheries sector, they were also preparing the provision of seeds for rice and corn, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, and fishery inputs for fisheries.
- Seed reserves available:
- 2,000 kgs of assorted vegetables
- 440,000 seedlings of assorted fruit trees for MIMAROPA
- Reserves for livestock are also available, from chicken, swine, and ducks to goats, sheep, and cattle.
- Feeds, drugs, and biologics are also available.
- Fingerlings available for fisheries:
- 6 million fingerlings for tilapia
- 4 million fingerlings for bangus
- Facilities such as fiberglass boats, bottom set gillnets, seaweed propagules, multiple hooks and lines, fish cages, and urban aquaponics are also available.
- Sec. Dar also shared that the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) also has 300 million under the SURE Aid program for farmers and fisherfolk.
- Loans of up to Php 25,000 will be provided, with zero interest and no collateral. These loans are also payable in 10 years.
- Php 5,000 is for emergency funds, and Php 20,000 is for recovery funds.
- The country has Php 1 billion for indemnification funding from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to pay for the losses incurred.
- Each farmer, depending on the size of his or her farm, will receive approximately Php 10,000 to Php 15,000.
- The National Food Authority (NFA) has also issued 4,263 bags of rice to the provinces of Marinduque, Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Cavite for relief operations.
- The NFA center is also operational 24/7, so they’re overseeing the withdrawals of rice by the LGUs.
- Sec. Dar also mentioned that we still have balance from the Quick Response Fund that amounts to 400 million pesos. This fund will be used for the following:
- The production inputs for crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries
- The repair of production, post-production, and small-scale irrigation facilities
- The provision of other assistance in the form of cash for culled live animals
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III shared that they are currently organizing the Regional Development Council of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa which will start to operate this Friday. Sec. Bello said that they will first focus on hardest-hit areas by the typhoon and these are Regions V, IV-A, and IV-B as they are in need of emergency employment.
- PRRD then clarified if the budget that he has given for financial assistance has already been distributed to their beneficiaries. Sec. Bello said that the first payout will be on November 15, including the Php 1 billion that will go to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the children of displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
- Sec. Bello added that they were able to enter a Memorandum of Agreement with CHED where Php 13,000 will be given per child with a total target of 30,000 scholars.
- As for the assistance for OFWs, Sec. Bello reported that this is currently ongoing and Php 3.1 billion of the Php 5 billion budget has already been distributed and they are hoping to complete it by November 20.
- National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad reported on what the agency has monitored in terms of the impact of Typhoon Rolly, the country’s preparedness and the disaster response operations.
- Usec. Jalad reported the following impact left by Typhoon Rolly.
- The number of families affected by Typhoon Rolly has reached 402,458 which is equivalent to 1,612,893 individuals in six regions. Updated as of November 3, 2020.
- While assessment is still ongoing for the cost of damages, they are expecting major damages to agriculture, housing, and power sectors, and other infrastructure like roads, bridges and flood controls.
- A total of 19 road sections and 4 bridges were affected by flooding, landslide and uprooted trees and fallen utility posts in Region II, III, IV-A, V, and Cordillera.
- Around 46 municipalities and cities in Regions IV-A, IV-B and V have experienced communications network interruption, while another 147 municipalities and cities are experiencing water interruption or outages.
- In the Bicol Region, there were reports of lahar flow in Albay, which affected localities Tabaco, Sto. Domingo, Camalig, and Guinobatan with around 55,515 partially damaged and 20,661 totally damaged houses.
- On preparedness measures, Usec. Jalad shared that their operations center sent out 41 emergency alert and warning messages to the public via SMS and calls. These kinds of advisories released were typhoon warning, rainfall warning, storm surge warning and gale course warning.
- Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Meetings and Emergency Meetings were done alongside Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council preparedness meetings. Usec. Jalad also tackled how other agencies prepared for the typhoon to provide proper support.
- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued the activation of Operation LISTO which highlights the preemptive evacuation that has to be conducted by the local government units.
- The Philippine Coast Guard assisted in the deployment of some of our personnel in Catanduanes. They also provided support to stranded individuals.
- The Bureau of Fire Protection provided rescue support to various affected local government units.
- DSWD is supplying family food packs and the dispatch of a C-130 flight to deliver additional family food packs for the Bicol Region.
- The Philippine National Police (PNP) base on standby 18,905 personnel for search and rescue as well as providing security in the evacuation centers.
- The Department of Energy (DOE) activated the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment Task Force or PRRD Task Force Kapatid to facilitate the rapid restoration of power in affected areas.
- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) provided assistance through the availability of communication assets like satellite phones, VHF radio, VSAT and generator sets to power those equipment.
- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted immediate clearing of affected roads and bridges.
- Oplan Rolly Logistics Operations was also organized where 8 aircrafts, 66 watercrafts, and 40 land transportation assets were provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Coast Guard, BFP and MMDA.
- The OCD deployed an emergency telecommunications team to Catanduanes and with the use of VSAT to establish contact with the local government unit of Catanduanes.
- The initial assessment stipulates that there are already 5 deaths in the province and 4 injured, around 15,000 families were affected, 10,000 houses were totally damaged, while 3,000 were partially damaged. They have no water due to the lack of supply.
- Initial cost of damage to agriculture is about Php 600 million — Php 400 million from their abaca and Php 200 million from other crops.
- Electricity and the telco service is likewise down.
- Only 8,000 family food packs are available.
- The local government is requesting for GI (galvanized iron) sheets for the damaged houses and immediate supply of potable water.
- Restoration of communication, electricity, and transportation as well as the resumption of ferry boat services between Catanduanes and the mainland of Bicol Region.
- For next steps the NDRRMC will be delivering family food packs to Catanduanes and Albay and will be deploying augmentation teams to conduct a rapid damage and need assessment in Catanduanes.
- NDRRMC is also looking at the provision of financial assistance like emergency shelter assistance by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and other assistance like the assistance to farmers by the DA.
- Lastly is the planning for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas to be led by OCD and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), with the participation of NDRRMC.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez discussed the impact of Typhoon Rolly on MSMEs and business establishments, as well as steps that the DTI took to help these businesses.
- Roads are generally passable, which is why the flow of goods and services resumed right away, as well as the distribution process.
- Prices of goods are generally stable since the supply of goods are also stable, especially for the basic necessities and prime commodities.
- There is also a price freeze for areas that are under a state of calamity.
- For areas not covered by the price freeze, Sec. Lopez assured the public that there have been no increases on the suggested retail prices (SRP) of basic necessities, prime commodities, canned goods, noodles, coffee, and milk since September 2019.
- Sec. Lopez also reported that business establishments had limited damages, except for badly-hit areas like Catanduanes, Bicol, and Quezon. In terms of operations, many establishments have done preemptive measures such as suspension of work or early closure for the day to protect employees.
- The DTI has already deployed personnel to continue monitoring supply and prices as there is a price freeze and SRP, especially in areas affected by the typhoon.
- Sec. Lopez reported that they are also in touch with food manufacturing companies to quickly replenish their inventory to avoid panic buying or related instances.
- Diskwento Caravans are usually done after calamities where basic necessities and prime commodities are sold at discounted prices. This is in partnership with private companies, food manufacturers, and the DA for agricultural products.
- Starting this week, the DTI is targeting to cover three LGUs in a week for the caravans.
- Livelihood kits will also be provided to micro entrepreneurs who have lost their source of income, while microfinancing will be available to SMEs.
- Sec. Lopez shared that they recently received funding from the Department of Budget Management (DBM) which is in conjunction with the Bayanihan 2 where the DTI has a budget of Php 4 billion for MSME loans. Php 6 billion will also be going to tourism under Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat for micro SMEs in her sector.
- DTI is also in talks with hardware companies for the provision of construction materials that can be used for rehabilitation, which they are hoping to get at discounted prices.
- Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi reported that the Task Force on Energy Resiliency conducted a 24-hour monitoring, coordination, and response in Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Metro Manila where there are 53,800 consumers have lost their electricity.
- This figure continues to go down as deployed personnel are working 24 hours to restore power. In the areas hit by the typhoon, power has already been restored in Masbate while Catanduanes, and the rest of the Bicol region remain out of power.
- As a safety precaution in terms of power generation, DOE intentionally shut down 2,199 megawatts or six power plants.
- On the dams, spilling operations are only being conducted at Ambuklao and Binga while others remain intact.
- No communication has been established yet with Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. In the areas of Albay, Masbate, Quezon, and Romblon, gensets are already on standby to restore power including Naga which will be powered partially. Cost of damage to electrical posts and power lines in these areas is estimated to be Php 2.8 billion.
- There is enough oil supply for the affected areas which can span 22 days. As reported by Sec. Lopez, a price freeze will also be in effect on petroleum products. They are also looking to lower the price, but assures the public that there will be no price increases.
- As the Chairman of the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region IV-B, Sec. Cusi provided updates on the affected areas of Typhoon Quinta.
- In Mindoro, they had a coordination meeting with the governor and regional directors where livelihood of fishermen were impacted as their boats and houses were destroyed. They have already coordinated with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Jun Escalada to provide them assistance.
- In areas affected by Typhoon Quinta, power is expected to be restored on Sunday, but will have to be delayed due to Typhoon Rolly.
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu reported on the initial investigation of complaints about quarrying in Albay.
- During the height of Typhoon Rolly, floodwaters went down the slope of the volcano into three rivers where 12 quarrying operators were working. They left their stockpiles in the middle of the rivers. When they overflowed, the flood reached residential houses claiming the lives of four people.
- While the investigation is still ongoing, they found out that the 12 quarrying permits were issued by the provincial government. These operators have already been suspended from quarrying around the volcano to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- Sec. Cimatu also reminded the local government to be stricter especially with their equipment and stockpiles to only be used in quarrying areas and not in rivers.
- Department of Budget Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado shared that the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) stands at Php 3.622 billion. This is after it was augmented with Php 5 billion based on Bayanihan 2. The total NDRRMF budget for 2020 is at Php 16 billion. Based on the General Appropriations Act, the following departments have each been allotted Quick Response Fund:
- Department of Agriculture – Php 1.5 billion
- Department of Education – Php 2.1 billion
- Department of Health – Php 600 million
- Department of Public Works and Highways – Php 1 billion
- Department of Social Welfare and Development – Php 1.250 billion
- National Electrification Administration – Php 100 million
- Sec. Avisado shared that these funds need to be replenished every time it gets depleted to ensure that there is proper funding for each department should there be a sudden need for it. He shared that they are fortunate that there are no additional requests for funds yet, but they are expecting these to come in once their respective budgets have been depleted.
- He will be working with Congress when it comes to the fund requirements following the impact of Typhoon Rolly as talks are still ongoing for the 2021 national budget.
- PRRD emphasized that there is insufficient funds and no country in the world has a surplus of money. He added that it is all about making ends meet to answer the different needs and requirements of society. As long as there is money and it goes to the proper beneficiaries, then they are able to answer the needs of the community.
- PRRD said that they are transparent following the Sec. Avisado’s budget enumeration per department and hopes that those funds will be used appropriately.
- PRRD also defended Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar saying that he is an honest man. PRRD does not question his integrity nor his loyalty. He also fired back at the corrupt officials of his administration, zeroing in on PhilHealth.
- PRRD mentioned that the Office of the Ombudsman has suspended PhilHealth officials for six months and are being investigated. If there is enough evidence, they will be prosecuted in court and will eventually be jailed.
- PRRD admitted that even if he knows some of the identified officials, he has a sworn duty to perform and inform the public.
- As of August 19, 2020, he named the following suspended PhilHealth officials:
- Celestina Ma. Jude dela Serna
- Other identified PhilHealth officials who have been suspended and are under investigation are:
- Imelda Trinidad De Vera-Pe
- From the Bureau of Immigration, the following people have been identified:
- From the Bureau of Customs:
- 20 officials have been dismissed
- 135 are being investigated by the BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service
- 45 have been charged with administrative cases before the BOC-Legal Service
- PRRD mentioned that there will be another round of announcements by December. He warned them that many will lose their jobs and will be separated from the government. Many will face prosecution and will be jailed.
- On the Pastillas bribery scheme that plagues the Bureau of Immigration, PRRD mentioned that there are a lot more officials involved and estimated it to be around 70, excluding those that have already been identified.
- On the celebration of All Souls’ Day, PRRD mentioned that many Filipinos travel back to their provinces and this included him when he went home to Davao. Over the course of Typhoon Rolly, he mentioned that he was waiting for the tailend of the storm before flying back to Manila.
- PRRD reiterated that for the last two years of his term, he will fight corruption, especially in Customs and Immigration. He went on to explain that if corruption persisted through previous administrations, he’ll be the one to put an end to it, regardless of whether the involved officials are Cabinet members or not.
- PRRD closed his speech, hoping that the Filipino people are able to understand what the government has done to meet the challenges of the moment and that the money is being spent properly for the people. He said that they will hold themselves accountable for it.
DOH Advisory
As of November 3, 2020, 4:00 PM, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 387,161 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,772 of which are new cases, bringing the number of active cases to 30,876. There are 153 people who recovered from the disease, increasing the total number of recoveries to 348,967. However, 49 more died, increasing the local death toll to 7,318.
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