Isabela PDRRMO ready to act as first responder when needed

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 36 cities and municipalities in the province of Isabela are ready to brace for the effects of severe tropical storm Kristine (international name: Trami), according to Isabela Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Atty. Constante Foronda Jr.

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Kristine made landfall in Divilacan town in Isabela province around 12:30 a.m.

READ: More Luzon areas under Signal No. 3 as Kristine makes landfall

“All 36 cities and municipalities are ready, as well as the provincial. We are now monitoring the movement of Kristine to determine which direction to bring the response,” Foronda told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

“Our cars and boats of various sizes and capabilities are ready,” he added.

Foronda likewise assured the public that they are ready to act as first responders when the need arises.

“The first responders are the local DRRM office, when they are overwhelmed they will call us and we will send, but sometimes there are situations when we don’t wait for LDRRMO to call upon us. We just respond even if we weren’t called,” he said.

“Same with the distribution of items the LGU is the first responder again, we are the second line of defense in the provincial, and the third is the national, because the DSWD has an office here they also have stock time.” the official added.

The PDRRMO chief also disclosed that 87 percent of Isabela’s crop—specifically rice and corn—had already been harvested.

Kristine was moving 15 kilometers per hour northwestward with maximum sustained wind speeds of 95 km/h near the center.

The storm has so far affected 382,302 persons, or 77,910 families based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest report.