BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) advised local government units, local DRRM Council and other stakeholders to look into hazards in tourists destinations in their respective localities with the expected arrival of vacationers here this long weekend (Friday, Aug. 21 is declared holiday), and the possible effects of Typhoon “Ineng”.
CRDRRMC chair and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Andrew Alex Uy made the call during the council’s Preparedness Cluster Pre-Disaster Risk Analysis meeting at the OCD emergency Operation Center here today.
Aside from tourist destinations, Uy pointed-out the need to look into the usual risks such as landslide and flood prone areas, waterways as well as construction works and mining operations.
“Ensuring zero-casualty is still our goal and so far we have been successful here in Cordillera as far as minimizing the threat of past strong typhoons, so we must not let our guard down and ensure that all preparedness preparations needed are in place. Preventive measures are better than rescue operations”, Uy stressed.
He also informed that the CRDRRMC has already synchronized with the Red Alert Status of the National DRRM Council as he instructed local DRRM Councils to also raise their alert level to red and to enhance monitoring and implementation of rapid early warning system, if deemed needed.
Larry Esperanza of PAGASA Baguio reported that as of 10:00 AM today, Typhoon Ineng was located at 800kph East of Aparri, Cagayan packing a maximum sustained wind of 180 kph and gustiness up to 115kph. With the typhoon forecasted to move west at 23kph and will only move outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning.
Tropical Storm Warning Signal number 1 was raised over the Cordillera provinces of Abra, Kalinga and Apayao with 30 to 60 kph wind expected to prevail within 36 hours. The region will continue to experienced isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.
Representatives from the DPWH, BFP, PNP and AFP assured that their response teams along with their equipment are all ready and on standby alert. The DSWD and DOH representatives, likewise assured that family packs and emergency supplies and medicines are already prepositioned and with their quick reaction teams also already on red alert./JDP/CCD – PIA CAR
