READY FOR EVACUEES. Some of the modular tents set-up at Naval, Biliran gymnasium families that will be displaced by Severe Tropical Storm Ursula. The local government placed a Christmas tree at the center of the gymnasium to keep the spirit of Christmas alive even in times of calamity. (Photo courtesy of Naval local government)
TACLOBAN CITY -- Local government units and national government agencies in Eastern Visayas have stepped up preparations as Severe Tropical Storm Ursula threatened to batter the region on Christmas Eve.
On Tuesday morning, five of the six provinces in the region were placed under tropical cyclone warning signal number two with 61 to 120 kilometers per hour wind in the next 24 hours. These provinces are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, and Biliran.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its advisory Tuesday morning, said Ursula continues to intensify as it moves closer to Eastern Visayas.
In Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Acting Mayor Veronica Ramirez issued a memorandum order mandating all local government workers to report to work on Christmas Eve to assist in the disaster preparedness effort.
Employees who are on leave are directed to report back to work.
The Eastern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council convened on Monday afternoon for a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting ahead of the storm’s landfall.
In the coastal town of Tanauan, Leyte, Acting Mayor Ronald Flores issued a directive mandating pre-emptive evacuation among residents who are residing near hazard-prone areas.
In Naval, Biliran, the local officials prepared its gymnasium for evacuees.
Modular tents were set-up by the local government for displaced families. Some tents are dedicated to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant.
“We placed a Christmas Tree at the center of the gymnasium to keep the spirit of Christmas alive even in times of calamity,” said Naval Mayor Gerard Espina on his social media post.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government regional director Artemio Caneja urged governors, mayors, and village chiefs to activate their respective operation centers, preposition relief, and response supplies, inform residents, and conduct pre-emptive evacuation, especially in hazard-prone areas.
“Mindful that people may be distracted by the holiday season, the Department of the Interior and Local Government reminded local government units to initiate Operation Listo (alert) protocols in view of the approaching Tropical Storm Ursula (International name Phanfone) that is expected to make landfall in Eastern Visayas on the day before Christmas or on the day itself,” Caneja said in a directive.
Philippine National Police Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) deputy director for administration Col. Manuel Marvin Pepino said all policemen in the region are also prepared should the local government need assistance in the preemptive evacuation and rescue operations.
“We have personnel who are trained to conduct search and rescue operations such as the regional mobile force battalion. They are ready for deployment,” Pepino told reporters on Monday. (PNA)
