Caraga disaster response units on full alert for ‘Ruby,’ preemptive evacuation set
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Philippines–Disaster response councils in the Caraga Region were placed on full alert Thursday as all provinces started preparing for Supertyphoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit).
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (PDRRMC) in the region simultaneously went on alert after they were warned during the meeting at the Office of Civil Defense in Butuan City that all the five Caraga provinces would be significantly affected by Ruby making landfall on Saturday.
Roberto Natividad, PDRRMC coordinator in Agusan del Sur, said most of his counterparts in the neighboring provinces would immediately call for preemptive evacuation especially in critical landslide-prone and storm surge areas.
He said while the province would not raise the alert status even during the actual typhoon landfall, the other neighboring areas facing the Pacific ocean would immediately implement evacuation.
“We may be not directly affected by strong storm but we are aware of flash floods brought by heavy rains,” Natividad said.
Natividad said the PDRRMC has been closely monitoring the overflow of floodwater in the Sumilao river in Bunawan town for a possible breach of the Sumilao bridge along the national highway as heavy equipment from the Department of Public Works and Highways have been placed there.
“It would be difficult if the bridge collapses as this would isolate us from Davao and affect major economic activities,” Natividad said.
The PDRRMC in Agusan del Norte implemented on Thursday Code Blue on heightened alert, meaning all classes in the kindergarten were suspended. Classes in elementary and high schools will be suspended Friday.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Angelica Rosedel Amante-Matba has directed all local DRRMCs to implement preemptive evacuation in highly critical areas including coastal and landslide-prone areas.
Matba instructed local disaster councils to preposition relief goods, prepare the evacuation centers and prohibit all sea vessels from venturing out to the sea after the code-blue signal was implemented Thursday morning.
Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel has advised all local DRRMCs to immediately take necessary precautions.
Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas, chair of the Regional Development Council, canceled Thursday the scheduled 81st RDC meeting in Tandag City so that government units could focus on preparing disaster response, rescue and relief.
The regional office of the Department of Education has ordered public school heads to unplug computers and other electrical devices in schools, move textbooks, school records, furniture and other important materials to safe areas while securing beams and strap roof tops to prevent them from being blown away.
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