ILOILO – The provincial government’s assets and resource capabilities are ready to help local government units (LGUs) once Super Typhoon “Mawar” enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Wednesday, May 24, met with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to conduct an inventory of floating assets such as rescue boats, rescuers, ambulances, response vehicles, and human resource.
He said the frontliners during calamities like floods are the LGUs; the provincial government only augments when needed.
The provincial government’s floating assets were prepositioned in strategic areas for immediate response in cases of emergency.
Last year and this year the provincial government distributed P2 million each to 20 towns for the procurement of rescue boats. These were Estancia, Pavia, Tigbauan, Leganes, Sara, Dingle, Guimbal, Batad, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Banate, Lambunao, Balasan, Zarraga, Mina, Lemery, Maasin, Calinog, and Dueñas.
Eight LGUs – Guimbal, Batad, Sara, Passi City, Leon, Lambunao, Alimodian, and New Lucena – also received P1 million each for the procurement of other rescue equipment.
Miag-ao, Banate, Estancia, and Carles were given funds to establish their respective disaster resilience operations hub.
Super Typhoon “Mawar” was expected to enter the PAR Friday night or early Saturday morning.
In an 11 a.m. advisory yesterday, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Mawar” has maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gustiness of up to 260 km/h, and central pressure of 905 hPa.
Its strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 550-km from the center.
“Mawar” may also enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, which may bring monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas starting Sunday or Monday.
“Kon magpalapit ang bagyo sa aton according to the update, ang iya rainband indi maglab-ot sa aton but according to our PAGASA ang ulan, we can almost say nga are preparing for rain,” Defensor said.
As for the relief goods, the governor said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has prepositioned family food packs containing rice and canned goods, among others.
The provincial government is also ready to procure rice from the National Food Authority when needed./PN
