NegOcc on ‘blue alert’ status

(Pagasa photo)
(Pagasa photo)

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has placed the entire province under “blue alert” status to heighten preparedness, measures and precautionary actions relative to the forecasted entry of Tropical Depression Samuel.

Blue alert means local government units (LGUs) have to prepare for a possible disaster.

All district hospitals were also raised to “code white” status, which means that all hospital personnel is on standby for deployment and augmentation for medical and other services as necessary.

In a memorandum issued Monday, November 19, to all local disaster risk reduction and management councils and all district hospitals, Marañon stated that Samuel has maintained its strength while moving closer to the Philippine area of responsibility.

The governor came out with the memorandum in compliance with the memorandum issued by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council raising the “blue alert” status of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Operation status in order to maximize coordination and monitoring.

Marañon stated that Samuel may bring possible lightning strike, heavy rains, flooding, flash floods or landslides.

The governor also required all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils to submit a report to PDRRMC Operation Center regarding the situation in their respective areas including actions taken.

Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, head of the PDRRMD, said: “Let's just hope and pray that it [Samuel] will change its trajectory and spare our province from any possible destruction.”

He said that they are closely monitoring the movement of the weather disturbance because based on its trajectory, it may pass San Carlos City and Dumaguete and may be felt in Bacolod City and some parts of the province.

"Let's hope and pray that we won't be directly hit by the typhoon," he added.

He also emphasized that those located in low lying areas should be more active in their preparations and monitoring of their respective river system and observe the tidal level.

Caelian also confirmed that an emergency meeting was held Monday, November 19, where the alert status was decided.

During the meeting, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office was instructed to pre-position all relief supplies.

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