BACOLOD City – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) tapped eight barangays here to be at the forefront of the response to Tropical Storm “Auring’s” anticipated impact.
These villages were Taculing, Bata, Singcang-Airport, Handumanan, Felisa, Mansilingan, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre.
They were all equipped with emergency medical services, according to Bernadeth Montelibano, CDRRMO officer-in-charge.
In a coordination meeting called by the CDRRMO, advisories in flood prone areas and precautionary measures were disseminated to the barangays.
Montelibano residents were advised to report to the Central Negros Electric Cooperative incidents of uprooted trees or fallen branches which may affect electrical lines.
Earlier, officials of the disaster management council convened following Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s directive for a pre-disaster risk assessment and emergency preparedness.
Jomarie Vargas, CDRRMO cluster head, said on top these measures was the establishment of a command center at the Annex Building of the New Government Center to monitor reports from the designated barangays.
City response teams will also be stationed there, Vargas added.
The CDRRMO also coordinated with rescue, transportation and evacuation facilities of the Department of Education.
“The police will handle the patrolling; the Bureau of Fire Protection will provide water in our evacuation center; and the City Health Office will manage the medical facilities if ever there will be evacuation,” added Vargas.
Barangay health centers will also be activated.
Vargas advised Bacolodnons to immediately communicate with their respective barangay officials or the police should emergencies arise.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said there is an increasing likelihood that “Auring” will weaken into a tropical depression before it makes landfall due to persistent high vertical wind shear associated with the surge of the northeast monsoon.
Based on all available data, the center of the storm was estimated at 335 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 10 a.m. on Sunday./PN
