The Acting Chief Executive, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, today directed all public departments to take necessary measures in response to a severe tropical storm called Bebinca affecting Macao.

Ms Chan made the order this evening – as Typhoon Signal No.8 was hoisted – during a visit to the Civil Protection Operations Centre to hear briefings from the 29-member team coordinating the city’s civil defence mechanism.

The Government pays great attention regarding preparation for, and management of, public emergencies. The Government has confidence in its arrangements, and has the capability to minimise the impact on the community of any storm emergency, with the concerted effort of those operating the civil protection mechanism and of the communities across Macao.

Ms Chan said she noted typhoon-related information had been delivered via various communication channels in a timely manner to members of the public.

Public departments had been asked to step up effort regarding removal of any storm-related debris from streets in order that urban life can be returned to normal as quickly as possible after typhoons, Ms Chan said.

Those attending this evening’s meeting at the Civil Protection Operations Centre also included the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, and the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun.

Mr Wong noted his team was paying close attention to several topics, including: the issue of rising sea levels associated with the latest storm; the dissemination of information during typhoon periods; and whether there were reports from the public of any overcharging of passengers by taxi drivers.