ROXAS City – Capiz is taking measures for the possible adverse effects of typhoon “Ompong” in the province.
Gov. Antonio del Rosario has directed all local government units and concerned national government agencies to prepare, convening all of Capiz’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council.
Provincial DRRMO head Esperedion Pelaez has also called for a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessmen meeting with concerned agencies for preparation and possible deployment.
Pelaez also urged local DRRM officers to set up gears necessary for rescue, response and relief operation.
Meanwhile, National Food Authority (NFA)-Capiz manager Jose Pacificador assured the public that there is sufficient stock of rice for emergencies in the province.
Local government officials have called on their constituents – particularly those in coastal areas and low-lying areas – to be prepared, alert and vigilant amid the storm.
Classes in both public and private schools in some parts of Capiz were suspended yesterday.
Mayor Angel Alan Celino issued the directive suspending classes in Roxas on Sept. 13 “due to the possible occurrence of flashfloods in low-lying areas and persistent heavy to moderate rains.”
The mayors of Panitan, President Roxas, Pilar, Maayon, Ivisan, Pontevedra, Dao, and Cuartero also suspended the classes in their respective localities.
The strength of Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) can be likened to super typhoon Lawin (international name: Haima), which hit northern Luzon in October 2016 and left at least eight people dead, weather forecaster Rene Paciente said.
Forecasters said Ompong is the strongest storm to hit Philippines so far in 2018 – 900 kilometer in diameter with sustained winds of at least 209 kilometers per hour.
Authorities said they expect storm surges of up to 7 meters high and are warning that heavy rains could trigger landslides and flash floods during the storm. (With a report from PIA/PN)
