NDRRMC closely monitoring areas in Visayas and Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced close monitoring of several areas in Visayas and Mindanao as the country prepares for Tropical Typhoon “Ramon” Tuesday.

According to NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos, no less than 10,000 families living near the coast lines of Butuan will be affected once the Agusan River and Mainit Lake overflows.

After several flooding incidents in regions 8, 11 and Caraga, preemptive evacuations were carried out in the low-lying and mountainous northern and southern parts of Agusan and Surigao, Ramos said.

Ramos reminded all government agencies of areas that will probably be affected by Typhoon Ramon, especially areas where storm signals are already raised, to closely monitor weather updates and prepare necessary resources for possible rescue and relief operations.

According to the latest report of the NDRRMC, its member agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), have already done their necessary disaster preparedness activities.

Among others, the report said that the health department has already prepared available medicines and pre-positioned medical response teams in close coordination with respective MDRRMC’s.

The coast guard, on the other hand, has directed all its district commanders to take proactive steps in notifying, or recalling all fishermen who will insist in sailing. The report also said that the coast guard has also been ordered to remind all shipping companies to strictly follow the Guidelines on Movement of Vessels during Heavy Weather and the Guidelines on Movements of Motorboats/Vessels in the Absence of Weather Bulletin in the Locality.

For the Philippine National Police, the report states that its chief directed all concerned Police Regional Offices to coordinate with their corresponding DRRMC’s and regularly submit situational reports for precautionary measures and other preparedness activities.

The report also said that the DPWH instructed all its district engineers to deploy Maintenance Point Persons to areas prone to flooding and landslides. It also stated that the department was also instructed to prepare clearing equipment such as road grader, bulldozer, backhoe, payloader, and dumptrucks.

Ramos, cleared, however, that before the national government intervenes, he said that protocols will first be followed, as to give the local government units to a chance take charge of their areas.

Ramos also expressed his concerns regarding complacency. He fears that residents of areas like Leyte which claims that their province is not used to having storm signals, will take for granted the chances of being badly hit.

“Kinakatakutan ko na baka maging complacent sila gaya ng mga residente na naapektuhan ni Ondoy,” he said.

He also reminded the public to cooperate with officials if situation permits.

“Mas madali mag-evacuate kaysa mag-rescue,” he said.