As super typhoon Carina (Gaemi) hits Taiwan, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has dispatched mail trucks to help with rescue and relief efforts and made post offices and hubs temporary shelters for those affected by the weather system.
While Carina did not make landfall in the Philippines, it has been affecting parts of Northern Luzon and enhancing the southwest monsoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The super typhoon will still bring moderate to heavy rain (50-100mm) to Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the next 24 hours (July 24-25).
PHLPost chairman and postmaster general Mike Planas has urged all post office employees who need rescue or relief to call their respective area directors or comment and send a message on the post office official Facebook page for emergency assistance.
“As per coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Operations Center, the post office has prepositioned mail vehicles at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) to the OCD compound, general headquarters to help in the rescue and relief efforts,” he confirmed.
Post office six-wheeler trucks are already at OCD headquarters to aid in rescue efforts. There is also a standby 10-wheeler truck for possible dispatch in case the OCD needs it.
Planas has also directed all area directors nationwide to provide a list of their respective mobility assets which can be made available upon request by OCD. He also requested them to identify facilities that may serve as hubs or logistics areas in subsequent OCD relief efforts.