LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Laoag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) is still on high alert for possible impacts of severe tropical storm Kristine in the city.
Dr. Melvin Manuel, Laoag DRRM officer, said that their pre-emptive evacuation efforts were helpful in preventing any casualties and damages.
“Our pre-emptive evacuation efforts were good preparation for the storm. For example, even if the water level at the damaged dike in Barangay Gabu didn’t rise, we evacuated the residents near there as a precautionary action in case that the infrastructure erodes, which would make the water rise in the area,” he said.
As per the latest situation report of the CDRRMO on Oct. 25, 12:00 a.m., a total of 258 individuals belonging to 77 families from low-lying and coastal barangays were pre-emptively evacuated since Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Earlier, Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, along with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), led the distribution of relief packs to affected families staying in the evacuation centers in the barangays of Gabu Norte West, Gabu Norte East, and Cavit.
Manuel said that more than 2,000 relief packs are readily available to be distributed to affected residents.
Moreover, water levels in rivers and other waterways in the city are all in normal conditions.
The city also did not sustain any flooding or landslide incidents, and all roads and bridges are passable.
The CDRRMO’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is still active in monitoring the storm track with on-duty personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard to respond in case of emergencies.
Moreover, Keon remarked that the city government is ready to respond in emergencies due to ‘Kristine.’
“Our city is very fortunate that it was not hardly hit. Nevertheless, our city was prepared for any eventualities, and all measures were in place with the coordination of the CDRRMO, PNP, and BFP that put together a good and hardworking response team,” he said.
As of the latest weather bulletin at 5 a.m., Oct. 25, the whole province of Ilocos Norte is still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
