TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) –The Kalinga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) braces for Typhoon Marce raising its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) status from blue to red alert on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 6, 2024) to ensure continuous monitoring, coordination, and readiness to respond to emergencies.
“Emergency responders, communication teams, and logistical support units are on high alert, ready to augment, and address potential issues such as flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage,” the provincial government stated in a Facebook post.
The whole of Kalinga was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as of 8:00PM of Nov. 6 as Typhoon Marce threatens the Northern Mainland Cagayan-Babuyan Islands area. The typhoon is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) until Friday (Nov. 7).
To ensure public safety, the provincial government has temporarily suspended tourism activities.
The PDRRMC reported during the regional Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment that two rescue vehicles, heavy equipment, two rubber boats, five generator sets, handheld radios, extrication kits, and other emergency rescue equipment are available.
Supplies of food and non-food items are also prepositioned for response activities.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Social Welfare and Development Kalinga said a total of 7,373 family food packs(FFPs) are stockpiled in the province. Some 6,535 family food packs and 1,792 non-food items are stockpiled at the regional warehouse in Tabuk City while 838 FFPs are prepositioned in the local government units of Balbalan, Lubuagan, and Rizal. About 199 non-food items are prepositioned in different LGUs.
To ensure public safety with the looming threat of the weather disturbance, the provincial government has temporarily suspended tourism activities.
The PDRRMC also reiterates its advisory to the public to be prepared to evacuate if homes are located in landslide and/or flood-prone areas; Stock up on essential items such as water, non-perishable food, medications, batteries, flashlights, and first aid supplies; Monitor news and weather updates through official channels, and stay tuned for announcements from local authorities, and Do not venture outdoors or travel during a typhoon. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
