Bicol prepares for Typhoon ‘Ompong’

LEGAZPI CITY – The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol has advised the local disaster councils to prepare and activate their operation centers as Typhoon “Mangkhut” (local name “Ompong”) further intensified as it was expected to enter the country Wednesday afternoon.

Jsar Adornado, division chief of the OCD Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the provincial, city and town disaster risk reduction and management offices and response agencies were asked to prepare contingency measures and activate on a 24/7 basis their respective disaster operation centers.

He said the disaster preparation was a preemptive measure as Mangkhut could bring moderate to heavy rains that could trigger flooding, lahar flows, and landslide in low-lying areas in the region.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol also reported that there were 10,466 emergency family packs available at DSWD warehouses and P3.2 million in standby funds.

Other disaster response agencies were likewise on standby in case evacuation of residents would be ordered.