MISAMIS Oriental’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department (PDRRMD) will be activating its command center on March 26 in anticipation of the Catholic observance of Holy Week.
PDRRMD Officer-in-Charge Fernando Vincent Dy said they have been setting up command posts in various pilgrimage sites in the province which includes Medina with their Hinuklog Festival; Sipaka Heights in Talisayan; Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador; and Our Lady of Fatima in Laguindingan.
A command post will also be put up in Balingoan Port, Dy said, adding that they are expecting people traveling out of Misamis Oriental to Camiguin.
"Umpisa ng pagdagsa ng tao, yung mga bibisita sa lalawigan ng Camiguin (A large number of people will be visiting Camiguin). On the 26, nag e-expect kami na meron nang mga tatawid papuntang (we are expecting travelers going to) Camiguin to spend the Holy Week," Dy said.
The PDRRMD will also be coordinating with different agencies and offices such as the Provincial Health Office in ensuring the safety of the devotees and tourists.
"Ga-expect gyud ta og influx sa tao (We are expecting an influx of people) so hopefully sa atong pag deploy sa atong mga teams, medical and PDRRMD na staff, mahinaot ta na walay mga kaigsunan nga madisgrasya, ma-aksidente sa panahon nianing mga adlaw, karong Semana Santa (with the deployment of the teams of medical and PDRRMD staff, there will be no accidents during the observance of the Holy Week)," Dy said.
Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano, meanwhile, has requested a number of personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be stationed to different municipalities, especially in the mentioned holy sites and in Balingoan, according to Provincial Information Officer Nicole Managbanag.
Managbanag said PNP will be deploying 427 of its personnel.
She added they have also coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to man the checkpoints going in and out of the province.
"Gov (Governor Emano) himself will personally man the operation during the Holy Week, so hindi sya magpapahinga (he will not rest) at that time kasi (because) he wants to make sure na (that) no casualty or any incidents that might happen during the Holy Week," Managbanag said.
Holy Week begins on March 26 and will end on April 1, Easter Sunday.