LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Ilocos Norte Provincial Government, through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), is proactively preparing for the potential impacts of Typhoon Leon and any subsequent weather disturbances.
During the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Meeting on Oct. 29, Provincial Social Welfare Officer 1 Lanie Peralta reported on the number of available family food packs (FFPs), rice buffer stock, and non-food items in the province.
A total of 5,300 FFPs and 20 cases of bottled water have been prepositioned in the seven cluster warehouses across the province and are ready for distribution.
Of this number, 200 FFPs are allocated for the towns of Badoc, Pinili, and Currimao; 500 for Batac City and Paoay; 700 FFPs for Banna and Nueva Era; 1,000 FFPs for Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, and Vintar; 800 FFPs for Bacarra and Pasuquin; 1,400 FFPs for Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Carasi; and 1,100 FFPs for Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, and Dumalneg.
A total of 700 FFPs are also stored in Pancian District Hospital in Pagudpud, allotted for Barangays Pasaleng and Pancian, and the town of Adams.
Moreover, as of Oct. 29, their inventory of stock pile includes 950 pieces of food packs, 1,065 Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office-donated food packs, 500 canisters of relief packs stored at the Takuat Bodega in San Nicolas town, and 7,716 FFPs at the DSWD Satellite Warehouse in Laoag City, totaling to 12,731.
A total of 1,745 sacks of 50 kilograms of rice are also ready to be repacked and distributed.
For non-food items, 1,067 mugs, 120 pieces of blankets, 1,000 pairs of slippers, 100 bedsheets, 496 towels, and 427 clothing bundle packs are also available.
During the PDRA meeting, Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos instructed the PSWDO to distribute food packs to fisherfolk and residents of coastal areas so they won’t risk going out to sea during the onslaught of the typhoon.
According to Marcel Tabije, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer, they already designated rescuers in identified flood-prone areas to be ready for immediate evacuation of residents.
“Some residents do not evacuate immediately because they are afraid that their houses may be entered by thieves, but they should secure their houses and evacuate for their safety. That is why we are mobilizing barangay officials to convince the residents to evacuate in times of continued rise of water level,” Tabije said.
The provincial government remains vigilant, monitoring the trajectory of potential weather systems.
The response plan will be adjusted as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all Ilocos Norte residents. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
