NEGROS Occidental has been placed under the “blue alert” status after a tropical storm entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early morning Friday.
Tropical Storm Nina is the 14th cyclone to enter the country this year.
Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, said they are “ready and on stand-by” for any eventuality, adding that their operation center will be open for 24 hours.
Blue alert means 50 percent of disaster units personnel must be at their posts at any time.
Caelian said they will continue to monitor the latest weather update to give a “timely warning” to the areas in the province that may be hit by rains and winds brought by the storm.
While the latest forecast and track of the storm won’t affect Negros Occidental, Caelian said that “storms are unpredictable.”
It’s still best to be ready, he said. “We need to pray and to prepare.”
Caelian added that local disaster offices around the province were directed to “monitor and be ready” for the tropical storm.
The response team is also ready for deployment, he said.