LINGAYEN, Pangasinan---Governor Amado I. Espino III has instructed all local government unit heads, and city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management council members down to the grassroot level to take precautionary and preventive measures possible to anticipate the threat that could possibly be posed by Typhoon ‘Ompong.’
As stated in memorandum No. 10 dated September 13, the governor highlighted four concerns to be undertaken, as follows:
1) Take precautionary and preventive measures against the effects of strong winds and possible storm surge along the coastlines of Pangasinan;
2) prepare communities for pre-emptive evacuation especially those along hazard prone areas (landslide, flashflood) and those living along the riverine areas and its tributaries due to the enhancement of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) which may cause river swelling and dam spillage;
3) prioritize the vulnerable sector (senior citizens, person with disabilities, children and pregnant women) in the conduct of evacuation procedure to include those families whose houses are made of light materials;
4) advise fisherfolks not to venture out into high seas starting today, September 13.
In the pre-disaster risk assessment meeting participated in by various line agencies on September 13 at the PDRRMO conference room, Col. Luchinvar Oro said the governor has given the green light for the council to go on red alert and prioritized safeguarding the communities along the coastal municipalities and city.
Mentioning the wide range of gustiness which the typhoon could bring that is equivalent to Signal No. 4 or would even go as strong as Signal No. 5, the PDRRMO chief said Governor Espino wants to ensure that all affected communities will be safe.
As of 4AM on September 13, the typhoon which is located at 855 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes and is forecast to hit extreme Northern Luzon on September 15.
According to Col. Oro, the governor has issued a marching order for members of the risk reduction council to individually prepare their action plans for the upcoming surge.
“Gusto kasi ni Gov. na each member of the council should individually prepare its respective personnel and resources para kung saka-sakali at kinakailangan ay merun po tayong magagawa,” the PDRRMO chief noted.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Emilio Samson reported that as of September 13, their office has prepared some 10,000 family packs which are readily available in case of relief operation.
On the part of the Philippine National Police-Provincial Office, PSupt. Jackie Candelario said that the newly-trained 91 police officers who underwent a four-day Water Search and Rescue (Wasar) Training which was sponsored by the provincial government through the PDRRMO last September 3 to 6 are all set to apply their learnings if rescue operations be needed. “Ito po ay sobrang laking test mission po sa kanila,” Candelario said as he vowed full support to the council on behalf of their team.
Philippine Coastguard, on the other hand, assured that all their seven teams will concentrate on the coastal municipalities and will be evenly distributed to their sub-stations, as well.
As such, Col. Oro said an infocast will be sent to various municipal and coastal barangays in relation to the memorandum released by the governor.
Other members of the council present during the meeting include representatives from the Provincial Engineering Office, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Agriculture’s Office, and General Services Office. (Ruby R. Bernardino)
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