BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) ordered all local DRRM councils in the region to conduct preemptive evacuation, if deemed necessary, to ensure the safety of the people in flash flood and landslide-prone areas in their respective area of responsibility in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
CRDRRMC Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol issued Memorandum No. 132 series of 2024 on Wednesday (Oct. 23) as part of the heightened preparedness measure for the possible effects of Tropical Storm Kristine as it traverse the Luzon landmass and forecast to make landfall over Isabela tonight (Oct. 23) or early tomorrow morning with Ifugao, Kalinga and Baguio directly in its path.
Local DRRM councils in the region are tasked to ensure the readiness of evacuation centers and other related assets in their respective areas, especially as the region is prone to soil erosions.
Mogol also ordered the full activation of Local DRRMC Emergency Operations Center and to maintain 24/7 duty officers to ensure continuing heightened preparedness and monitoring.
The DSWD-CAR assured adequate food and non-food items ready for augmentation to local government units in the region, in times of emergency or relief operations.
As of reporting period, DSWD-CAR maintains a stockpile of 18,520 Family Food Packs and around P53.84 million worth of non-food items in their regional and provincial satellite warehouses.
There are also 18,520 FFPs strategically prepositioned in some LGUs in the region through a Disaster Relief Prepositioning Agreement. Per geographical area, there are 5,490 FFPs prepositioned in Abra LGUs; 5,328 in Apayao; 2,381 in Ifugao; 3,327 in Mountain Province and 894 in Kalinga.
The CRDRRMC Response Cluster member agencies and the LDRRMCs in earlier reported their preparedness efforts during a Pre-Disaster Response Assessment meeting on Oct. 21.
As of October 23, 5:00PM forecast of PAGASA, tropical cyclone Kristine has intensified into a severe tropical storm.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted over the Cordillera provinces of Kalinga, Mountain Province, and the central portion of Abra (Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Bucloc, Boliney, Tubo, Luba, Manabo, Bucay, Villavisiosa, Pilar and San Isidro) while TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over the rest of Abra and Apayao.
All are advised to stay safe and vigilant, and to keep monitoring for weather updates/advisories. Likewise, to refrain from travelling during severe inclement weather unless for emergency or humanitarian reasons. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
