ITOGON, Benguet (PIA) — The local government unit of Itogon assures readiness to respond to any untoward incident that may be caused by tropical cyclone “Leon”.
Itogon Mayor Bernard Waclin suspended all tourism activities, as well as underground small-scale mining activities, including quarrying and gold panning along river systems in the municipality, in preparation for the possible effects of the said weather disturbance.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Cyril Batcagan said one of their priorities during inclement weather is the safety of small scale miners.
The municipality has the most number of small-scale miners in Beguet and in the Cordilleras.
The MDRRMC has been conducting information dissemination for miners.
“Yung association naman ng mga small scale miners, isa-isa naming tinatawagan ‘yung mga president, itetext din namin, so nakikita namin kung sino ang hindi nagrereply. Marami na silang experience na may natabunan sa loob, so natakot na din sila na basta pumapasok, kung may mga bagyo” he said.
PMaj. Mac Kenley Mayomis, Chief of Police of Itogon Municipal Police Station, added that thru Oplan Tangguyob, they issue reminders to the communities, including small-scale mining areas, to ensure their safety during disasters or calamities.
“Postpone your mining activities and avoid going near the streams and other water tributaries to avoid untoward incidents during the onslaught of the tropical cyclone” Mayomis reminded.
Batcagan shared in an interview on October 29, 2024, that the emergency operations center has been activated to make sure that everything is all set before the typhoon.
“Pinag-usapan na namin kung ano ‘yung mga inaasahan na baka mangyari, nagpresent naman ‘yung mga BFP kung ano yung mga activities nila, saka ‘yung mga Pulis, ‘yung mga stockpile naman sa MSWDO, pati ‘yung MHO, ‘yung mga nasa disaster preparedness, nagpresent sila so napag-usapan namin na iactivate ‘yung EOC ng code blue” he said.
Batcagan shared that aside from responders on standby for possible road clearing operations, family food packs, hygiene kits, kitchen utensils and first aid kits are housed at the DRRM office for faster relief operations. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
