Davao Norte, ComVal brace for ‘Pablo’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines–Governors and mayors in Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao City are bracing for Typhoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha), issuing warnings to their most vulnerable communities to look out for danger signs and evacuate to the nearest evacuation centers.

Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy said he has ordered mining communities as early as Saturday to evacuate safer grounds as they are most vulnerable to landslides.

He also asked people living near riverbanks to evacuate as soon as the water begins to rise, said Uy who was in Davao City for the regional peace and order council.

“As early as Saturday, we have issued the warnings, especially to our mining communities which are most vulnerable,” said Uy.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said over 100 volunteers are now on standby in Tagum city and other parts of Davao del Norte earlier identified under signal number one in the bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Davao Oriental Gov. Cora Malanyaon immediately left Davao city’s regional peace and order meeting as soon as she learned that the storm signal for Davao Oriental has been raised from signal number one to number three.

Davao City may not be on the path of the typhoon but the city disaster risk reduction and management office in the city has the Central 911 and private volunteer groups on standby, ready to be called in case of emergency.

“I have asked the disaster office to issue a regular updates for us to keep ourselves abreast of the status of the storm and be aware of its effects, so that we can immediately come to aid neighboring communities” said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.