BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – Members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) ensured preparations are in place for the possible effects of typhoon Marce in Abra.
Haan tayo mabalin nga agkampante kasi based on the typhoon track from the DOST-PAGASA and the DILG CODIX, ti Abra is under yellow category until the exit of the typhoon,” Local DRRM Officer III Arnel Garcia stressed during the PDRRMC Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment meeting on November 6, 2024 in Calaba, Bangued.
Although the yellow or alpha category assumes that local government units may or may not be affected by the typhoon, the PDRRMC emphasized the need to assess hazard maps, risks, and preparedness plans to ensure the safety of communities.
PDRRM Officer Arnel Valdez shared that the PDRRMO with the Provincial Engineering Office have on standby vehicles that can be used to transport evacuees and for search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, Provincial Department of Health Office Head Dr. Lilibeth Martin assured the preparedness of the health sector to respond during calamities.
“We have prepositioned hygiene kits and we work in coordination and we are closely monitoring the different Rural Health Units in the 27 municipalities,” she said.
In terms of disaster response operations, the Social Welfare and Development Office of Abra (SWAD-Abra) shared that the province is fully equipped in terms of food and non-food items.
“As of November 6, we have 8,177 food packs at the Abra Satellite Warehouse excluding pa po iyong 5,490 family food packs prepositioned in different LGUs. Sa non-items naman, we have 2,472 non-food items,” Venus Camela Placido of the SWAD-Abra reported.
Elmer Bersamin of the Provincial Social Welfare Office shared that the office is prepared to assist individuals or families who will be affected by the weather disturbance.
“In case there are internally displaced persons, we are ready to assist them in the designated evacuation centers of the province. We are also in close coordination with the municipalities with regards to their status,” he said.
In terms or emergency response and manpower, Abra Provincial Police Office PCADU Chief PLtCol. Daniel Pel-ey committed police vehicles in both the provincial and municipal police stations for disaster operations.
The Bureau of Fire Protection also reported that fire stations across the province were activated to monitor their areas of responsibilities. There are also nine personnel who were trained for special search and rescue operations.
The Philippine Army also committed logistic and manpower support in disaster operations.
Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Red Cross-Abra Chapter, Abra Electric Cooperative, and the Metro Bangued Water District also ensured their assistance in cases of emergency.
Meanwhile, the different Municipal DRRM Councils also held Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment meetings in preparation for the possible impacts of typhoon Marce. Some local government units including Lagayan, Tineg, Malibcong, and Licuan-Baay have already issued advisories and orders on the temporary suspension of tourism, fishing and water-related activities, mining operations, and non-essential travels as typhoon Marce threatens Northern Luzon.
As of 5:00 pm of November 6, 2024, the northern portion of Abra (Langiden, Bangued, Danglas, Tayum, La Paz, Dolores, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Tineg, Lacub, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong) is under Signal No. 2 while the rest of Abra is under Signal No. 1 as typhoon Marce becomes almost stationary over the waters East of Northern Cagayan. (JJPM, PIA-CAR, Abra)
