VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Ilocos Sur is urging residents to prepare for Tropical Storm “Kristine” and follow evacuation orders if issued.
In an interview Tuesday, PDRRM Officer Rhon Arquelada stressed that residents should follow authorities’ orders for their safety.
He said, “Agtitinnulongtayo nga ag-prepare para iti bagyo ken i-monitortayo dagiti weather update manipud ti DOST-PAGASA, provincial government, PDRRMO, ken dagiti trustedtayo a source ti information kas iti Philippine Information Agency. No adda ti abiso ti evacuation iti lugartayo, sumurottayo koma ta priority latta ti safetytayo. Ingattayo amin ken [let us] be vigilant.”
(Let’s work together to prepare for the typhoon and monitor weather updates from DOST-PAGASA, the provincial government, PDRRMO, and our trusted sources of information, such as the Philippine Information Agency. If there is an evacuation notice in our area, we should follow it because our safety is still a priority. Let’s all stay safe and [let us] be vigilant.)
Arquelada said they are actively monitoring the course of the storm, and as of Oct. 22, no preemptive evacuations have been carried out.
However, he emphasized that they may consider declaring preemptive or forced evacuations if they observe early warning signs, such as rising water levels in the river and coastal areas during storm surges.
He also urged the residents to check their houses for any parts vulnerable to strong winds, as this is one of the effects of the storm.
“Simpaentayo tatta saan pay marikna ti kapigsa ti bagyo. Ken dagitoy kanal iti barangay, ammotayo a no clogged dagitoy ket isu ti cause ti flooding. Linisantayo [koma tatta nasapa pay],” he added.
(Let’s prepare our houses today ahead of the storm. We know that clogged canals in the barangay cause flooding, so let’s clean them up as early as possible.)
In preparation for the effects of Tropical Storm “Kristine,” blue alert status was raised in the province after the pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting on Oct. 21.
Arquelada stated that all search and rescue personnel are on standby, and all rescue vehicles for both land and sea are well maintained and ready for deployment if necessary.
As for food and non-food items, the current stockpiles are sufficient, but it was recommended during the PDRA to procure additional supplies, as well as hygiene and family packs for augmentation to cities and municipalities who are in need.
Moreover, the Coast Guard Stations in Ilocos Sur have activated their Deployable Response Group (DRG) and are ready for potential deployment.
In an online post, they stated that all search and rescue equipment, land mobility, and floating assets are prepared for use.
As of 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Ilocos Sur province is under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, where strong winds are expected, with minimal to minor threats to life and property.
With this, the Coast Guard in Ilocos Sur issued a sea travel advisory suspending all vessels destined for or transiting through the province, except for those seeking shelter.
“Operations may resume once the weather and sea conditions are deemed normal as declared by PAGASA,” the advisory reads. (MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
