PNP eyes greater role in sending out typhoon alerts–Bartolome

PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was intending to take a greater role in alerting communities of approaching typhoons “down to the remotest household” to save lives and prevent mishaps, especially of fisher folks swept at sea.

“The dissemination of alert warnings to communities by corresponding Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils shall be assisted by PNP units at all levels to easily transmit the alert warnings to each and every citizen within the community,” PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome said.

In a memorandum, Director Leocadio Santiago Jr. of the Directorate for Operations, reminded all concerned units that in extreme emergencies, the PNP National Operations Center may transmit the alert warning directly to the Provincial Directors and Chiefs of Police and their Unit Tactical Operations Center.

Also, the town or city police chiefs shall coordinate with the local government to disseminate alert warnings down to barangays through all available means, such as sirens, bullhorns, and radio broadcasts, he said.

A study by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that despite early warnings by the state weather bureau, sea mishaps usually involving fisher folks still persisted during typhoons.

In a statement, Bartolome reminded all regional directors to strictly observe the Disaster Alert Level Warning System and all other precautionary measures issued by his predecessor retired Director General Raul M. Bacalzo dated Aug. 10, 2010.