By Michelle Ducut
Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced on Monday that Baguio City has fully prepared for the possible effects of Typhoon Nika (international name Toraji), with emergency response measures set in place since Sunday. Equipment has been decentralized for easy access and rapid deployment across the city.
In an interview, Mayor Magalong assured that officials from the barangays, city, and national agencies have coordinated to ensure the readiness of response teams, and the availability of essential supplies such as food packs and tents.
“We have prepared and ensured that the city, the barangay disaster response teams, and our equipment are ready,” he stated.
Benguet province, where Baguio is located, is expected to experience heavy to torrential rains until Tuesday. Magalong noted that the most intense rainfall is forecasted from noon to 8 p.m., and though the surrounding mountains may help dissipate the typhoon’s strength, the amount of rain remains concerning.
“While we cannot say for certain that the soil is already saturated, the projected rainfall is alarming,” he said. “We may experience landslides with the volume of rain expected today.”
Mayor Magalong also reminded residents of the temporary suspension of garbage collection and urged the public to avoid littering in waterways to prevent clogging and flooding.
With these proactive measures, Baguio City stands ready to respond to any emergency scenarios that may arise from Typhoon Nika.