4 to 6 more cyclones to enter RP before yearend

After "Ondoy," "Pepeng" and "Quedan," about four to six more cyclones are due to enter Philippine territory in the last three months of 2009, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Monday.

Pagasa weather bureau head Nathaniel Cruz said that while not all of these incoming cyclones would make landfall, some may still directly affect the country.

"Mga apat hanggang anim pa, pero di lahat yan tatama sa kalupaan (We expect four to six more cyclones to enter Philippine territory till yearend, but not all of them will make landfall)," Cruz said in an interview on dzRH radio.

Cruz cited the case of typhoon "Melor," which was named Quedan after entering Philippine territory Monday afternoon. He said it is not expected to directly affect the country.

Other cyclones after Melor"/"Quedan for this year would be named "Ramil," "Santi," "Tino," "Urduja," "Vinta," "Wilma," "Yolanda," and "Zoraida," according to Pagasa.

Earlier, Cruz said Melor is keeping tropical storm Pepeng (international name: Parma) over Northern Luzon and preventing it from leaving Philippine territory.

He said Melor is expected to re-curve northward upon entering Philippine territory and head for Japan. Once Melor leaves Philippine territory, Pepeng may eventually follow suit, he said.

"Pag alis ni Melor dito sa area of responsibility, unti-unting susunod si Pepeng papunta na rin ng bansang Hapon. Pero di biglaan yan, parang start uli ang makina ni Pepeng, parang unti-unti gagalaw siya sa northeast direction," he said.

(Once Melor leaves our area of responsibility, Pepeng will follow towards Japan. But it will not be sudden. Pepeng will move towards Japan slowly.)

Arroyo reveals 2nd reason for nationwide state of calamity

Aside from allowing local governments to access their calamity funds, President Arroyo bared a second reason Saturday for placing the entire country under a state of calamity: to go after profiteers.

Fears have been raised that the government was taking advantage of the crisis caused by tropical storm “Ondoy" to raise funds for next year’s general election.

Critics wondered why other provinces not affected by Ondoy were also being allowed to tap emergency funds when they are not really suffering from a state of calamity.

But Mrs. Arroyo explained that the nationwide state of calamity will allow government to run after traders who will go to areas not under a state of calamity to sell their products at higher prices.

“What was observed was that when there was price control imposed in a given area some supplies were diverted. So (this was also) for purposes of price control," she said at a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

On the other hand, she said one of the shortcomings of the present Price Law is that the local government can use the calamity funds in an actual state of calamity and not for risk reduction.

Earlier, Favila admitted the decision stemmed from the executive session of the NDCC in Cainta, Rizal, where they discussed the matter.

“There are unscrupulous traders who go to nearby areas not under a state of calamity, then sell at higher prices. We discussed it in the NDCC meeting’s executive session," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the nationwide state of calamity was a recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council. -