i TV Pinoy

Source: gmanews.tv

-- At least one person was reported missing while more than 115,000 people were affected in the wake of Typhoon Santi (Mirinae), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Saturday.

But NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. said the worst of Santi appeared to have passed as the weather has improved, allowing people to mark the All Saints' weekend.

"Makaka-commemorate ng Undas ang ating kababayan (Our fellow Filipinos can commemorate All Saints' Day)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He also said authorities appeared to be better prepared this time, unlike last September when they were caught flatfooted when Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) lashed Luzon.

The local disaster coordinating councils responded quickly and preemptively evacuated residents in coastal areas out of harm's way, he said.

"Napakalaki ng role ng local disaster coordinating council, down to the barangay. Everybody is putting his share para tayo maka-prepare sa Santi (Local disaster coordinating councils played a key role, down to the village levels. Everyone did his share to prepare for Santi)," he said.

"Sana ganito magiging coordinations para typhoons to come (Hopefully we can be this prepared for other typhoons to come)," he added.

Citing reports reaching him, Torres said search operations are now ongoing for a man in Muntinlupa City, after floods washed away their shanty.

He said Bureau of Fire Protection personnel managed to rescue the man's two children.

In Laguna, 20 fishermen were rescued at Tinigiban village in Calauag, Quezon province.

On the other hand, the NDCC's 6 a.m. report Saturday indicated 23,101 families or 115,507 people were preemptively evacuated in 251 evacuation centers in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon and Bicol.

Some 200 families were forcibly evacuated in Lingga village in Calamba City in Laguna.

At least 8,567 passengers, 411 trucks, 110 cars, 82 passenger buses, 15 vessels, 13 motorized bancas, and 61 vessels were stranded while 48 motorized bancas took shelter in ports as of 10 p.m. Friday, NDCC said.

Floods

Floods were waist-deep in Barangay 183, knee-deep in Barangay 185, and two feet high in Barangay 184 in Pasay City.

In San Juan City, floods were knee-deep in San Perfect, Balong Bato, Progreso and Batis Streets. In Navotas City, floods were two feet deep in San Jose village.

Floods were knee-deep in Libjo area in Parañaque City, at the back of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Dams

The NDCC said Ambuklao Dam continued to release water as a preemptive measure.

As of 4 a.m. Saturday, Ambuklao kept four gates open to release water at 22 cubic meters per second.

Pantabangan Dam, which was also kept open Friday, was closed as of 4 a.m.

Power and Telecoms

Power outages were reported in General Nakar, Alabat Island, Real and Infanta towns in Quezon province, where "Santi" made landfall.

In Bicol, Camarines Norte except Daet was without power, but the NDCC said this was a preemptive measure of the National Electrification Authority.

The NDCC said the NEA found some damages along backbone lines in the Camarines Norte area.

Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative substations were also shut down.

Telecoms

There was no signal for Smart and Globe in Panganiban town in Camarines Norte, and no signal for Smart in Sta. Elena town.

On the other hand, Camarines Norte provincial police's communication facilities were bogged down due to strong winds.

Roads

In Bicol, only one lane of Maharlika Highway between Labo and Daet was passable, while clearing operations are ongoing to remove fallen trees.

Inalmasinan Road Section is impassable due to flooding, however.