BY GABRIEL DOMINQUE BAÑAGA AND IME SORNITO
BACOLOD City – Tropical Storm “Auring” continues to move southwestward. Its latest predicted track showed a possibility it would hover to some areas in Western Visayas, on Sunday or Monday.
As of 5 p.m. on Friday, “Auring” was moving at sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
The weather disturbance was forecast to pass by Negros Occidental and Panay Island.
While it slightly weakened, its prolonged stay over waters is still expected to increase its strength and turn it into a severe tropical storm.
Various local government units in the region ramped up preparations in anticipation of the bad weather.
In Negros Occidental, local disaster risk reduction management offices (DRRMOs) were placed under “blue alert” status.
“Under the blue alert, all DRRMOs and emergency operation centers in the province are activated to prepare for the storm,” said Zeaphard Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, meanwhile, said the provincial government propositioned essential supplies which would be distributed to those who will be affected.
“Negrenses living in areas hit by massive floods last month should be more vigilant,” Diaz stressed.
In Victorias City, Mayor Francis Frederick ordered captains of flood-prone barangays to step up their preparations for the possible evacuations of residents.
Mayor Renato Gustilo of San Carlos City summoned city officials and the local police force to a meeting. A letter of “call for preparedness action” was disseminated to all barangays.
Gustilo also inspected infrastructures damaged during last month’s flooding.
Meanwhile in Talisay City, Mayor Neil Lizares III urged his residents to take precautionary measures and heed authorities’ call to evacuate early.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier directed all district hospitals are also advised to raise heightened alert to ensure preparedness.
He directed DRRMCs to take appropriate precautionary measures against possible flooding, flashfloods, or landslides as well as ensure waterways are clear of obstruction, review contingency plans and mitigate possible disaster risks.
In Bacolod City, authorities also stepped up their dredging and excavation works in the city’s Mambuloc Creek.
Tree pruning was also conducted in several areas of the city as well as cutting down uprooted trees in order to prevent any untoward incidents.
Executive Assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head of DRRMO-Bacolod, said the city’s disaster response plan remains in place and will just be activated once needed.
In Iloilo province, people residing in flood- and landslide-prone areas were advised to take extra precaution.
Dr. Jerry Bionat, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said local government units (LGUs) should be watchful of the places where rain-induced floods and landslides could occur.
“For those low-lying areas especially sa northern part of Iloilo and ang ara sa mga kilid sang kabukiran, mag-aligmat gid, adlaw kag gab-i,” Bionat said in an interview with Panay News.
“Indi magsalig nga kamo may ikasarang or safe kay iban na subong ang panahon tungod sang climate change. Dapat nga magbantay gid sa palibot kag magpamati sang balita,” he added.
The LGUs are also advised to conduct a pre-emptive evacuation in case of floods, he added.
Meanwhile, Bionat told fisherfolk to cancel any sea activities for now.
“Sa mga mangingisda naton, sa Sabado kag Domingo asta na sa Lunes, likawan anay ang paglayag sa kadagatan,” Bionat said./PN
