Davao del Norte activated its disaster response system on Monday to ensure quick mobilization of rescue and relief teams should the need arise, after the weather bureau hoisted public storm signal No. 1 in the province and six other places in the region, provincial information officer Romulo Tagalo said.
Apart from Davao del Norte, the other places on storm watch due to the approach of Tropical Depression Zoraida were Dinagat and Siargao islands in Surigao del Norte, the two Agusan provinces, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental.
Tagalo said teams consisting of doctors, health workers, engineers and social workers were on standby status at the disaster operations center at the provincial capitol and ready for deployment.
Tagalo, who is also Davao del Norte disaster action officer, said the provincial government was evaluating the situation to determine if flood prone areas should be evacuated before Zoraida hits land on Wednesday.
In Davao Oriental, Gov. Corazon Malanyaon issued on Monday an executive order for the suspension of classes at all levels in the province.
Malanyaon said they have also started deploying heavy equipment that may be needed to clear roads in the event heavy rains trigger landslides.
The province of Compostela Valley, although not under any storm warning, was preparing for bad weather as well, according to Fe Maestre, the provincial information officer.
“The main concern in [Compostela Valley] will be the heavy rains the storm is expected to dump, causing landslides and flooding,” said Maestre.
Last week, the provinces also activated their disaster preparation teams and suspended classes even though monster typhoon Yolanda did not bring any significant rains there.
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