NDRRMC: Disaster officials ready for S. Korea rocket launch

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos points to a simulated rocket launch similar to that of South Korea’s during a presconference at CampAguinaldo. Ramos said the flight path of the South Korean rocket might cross the Eastern Visayas and Mindanao, hence the need for safety preparations.The Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-I), whose two previous launches both ended in failure, will blast off between October 26-31, depending on prevailing weather conditions.INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Disaster management officials are on alert as South Korea will push through with its rocket launch Thursday, National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) director Benito Ramos said Wednesday.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM Wednesday, Ramos said that information from South Korea noted that the launch was scheduled between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday (Manila Time).

He said that in Korean standard time, the window time frame was from 4 p.m. to7 p.m. but that the Philippine time was delayed by an hour.

The satellite’s launching was initially scheduled in October but was suspended due to technical problems.

Meanwhile, Ramos reiterated that the NDRRMC would impose its “no sail, no fly zones and no fishing” in areas that would be affected by the launch.

Ramos said the ban would cover Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern, Western and Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Siargao, Caraga, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

Ramos said he hoped that the rocket launch would be a success but called on citizens to remain vigilant because of the possibility that components of the rocket booster may fall near the Philippines.