THE Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) assured its readiness for the typhoon season.

DPWH Cordillera director Tiburcio Canlas said although we can never know the effects of a typhoon in our region would be, the Public Works Department has always been preparing after the effects of typhoons Ompong and Rosita last year and ever since that experience, they are aware of the worst case scenario.

“We can never say that we are 100 percent prepared, that is why our maximum resources, equipment and personnel are mobilized. And even before the coming of the rains, there have been reported landslides in the region for one in Bontoc where a rock as big as a room fell and our men and equipment are already in the road,” Canlas said.

DPWH-CAR is asking the government for additional equipment due to the magnitude or amount of landslide incidents being experienced in the region.

“Due to the tendency in the increase of landslide incidents in the region, we are asking for additional funding including our rock netting. For Kennon Road, we want a one-time big deal like if they release P2 billion we finish it in 8 to 10 months then open Kennon Road totally but unfortunately, the funding is not being handled by the DPWH but the Congress who gives out the funds,” Canlas stated.

Earlier this week, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) have placed the entire region under blue alert in response to the entry of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) in the Philippine Area of Responsibility or PAR.

Local government units (LGUs) having mining operations have also been advised to suspend and even stop operations to prevent untoward effects of the rains in their mining operations.

CDRRMC have also advised the LGUs to implement forced evacuation proceedings with the help of the Philippine National Police in communities that maybe affected by disasters.