MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration  (PAGASA) said it is decommissioning four tropical cyclone names this year.

PAGASA decommissions or removes names from list of tropical cyclones when they are particularly destructive, specifically if it caused more than P1 billion worth of damage or claimed at least 300 lives.

This year, the following names of tropical cyclones that will be removed due to their corresponding accumulated amount of damage caused to the country are:

• ‘Ambo’ (International Name Vongfong) – P1.57 billion
• ‘Quinta’ (International Name Molave) – P4.22 billion
• ‘Rolly’ (International Name Goni) – P17.6 billion
• ‘Ulysses’ (International Name Vamco) – P18.62 billion

Overall, the four cyclones caused a total of P42.09 billion worth of damage to the country’s infrastructure and agriculture according to government records.

After decommissioning, PAGASA will replace the names with new ones to prevent psychological relapse or to prevent the victims from recalling the traumatic experiences the strong cyclones caused to them. MNP (with inputs from Rey Pelayo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) collected 841.34 tons of garbage in Marikina City and San Mateo in Rizal during the post- Typhoon Ulysses cleanup.

According to MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim, clearing operations continue in affected areas where at least 150 personnel are deployed onsite.

Garbage collected includes broken appliances, furniture, equipment, soiled stuff and clothing.

“Our personnel shall continue rendering assistance to affected residents until local government units’ rehabilitation works are completed. We are always ready to help in restoring normalcy in the affected communities,” he said.

Areas of operation in Marikina City are in Barangays Malanday, Sto. Niño and Tañong, particularly Provident Village, while areas of operation in San Mateo, Rizal are in Barangays Guitnang Bayan, Banaba, and Sta. Ana. AAC

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reported that 11 road sections remain closed in areas affected by Typhoon Ulysses.

These consist of two roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), three in Region II, five in Region III, and one is Region IV-A.

The DPWH said these roads are closed due to soil collapse, landslide, road slip, mudflow, flooding, and carriageway settlement caused by the heavy rain brought by Typhoon Ulysses.

The DPWH also reported that seven road sections are with limited access.

“One in CAR, one in Region II, three in Region III, one in Region V, and one in Region VIII due to road slip, mudflow, flooding, scoured bridge approaches, and damaged detour,” according to the DPWH advisory.

Meanwhile, all other national roads and bridges are passable for all types of vehicles. AAC