THE Misamis Oriental Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has activated its emergency numbers 161 to response to any emergency in preparation to the onset of the rainy season.

Assistant provincial disaster team chief Jeric Abasa said they also set up a command center at the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol that is manned 24 hours to monitor distress calls.

Abasa said residents can dial 161 on the Misortel line and expect an emergency responder to answer at the end of the line 24 hours a day.

Abasa said the emergency line can also reached via the PLDT or by radio via the radio 158 radio frequency.

The command center can also be reached through text or SMS messages sent via 0998998833 on Smart and 09172701570 on Globe.

“We have operators manning the command center 24 hours a day and our rescue team are in constant training every Friday to prepare themselves,” Abasa said.

Also on tap are 424 personnel to serve as emergency coordinators in all the barangays in the province.

Abasa said the coordinators will provide barangay officials with the latest weather bulletins.(Froilan Gallardo)