LAOAG CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Ilocos Norte convened on Thursday afternoon in preparation for Typhoon "Ambo" (international name: Vongfong), the first to hit the country this year and in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
During the meeting, Marcel Tabije, head of the PDRRMC, reiterated to all participants the need to take some precautionary measures as the typhoon is expected to hit northern Luzon.
Based on the latest bulletin of the the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Ambo had just made a landfall in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar.
Storm warning signals are already up in various parts of the country as the typhoon continues to have maximum winds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 190 kph.
In Ilocos Norte, light to moderate rains are affecting the eastern part of the province while Laoag remains cloudy under extreme heat condition.
“Aside from constantly monitoring our weather, we are also in close coordination with our community officials to monitor our flood-prone areas, landslide-prone areas, and storm surge-risk areas in coastal municipalities,” said Tabije.
As part of PDRRMRC’s disaster prevention and mitigation, it identified and prepositioned equipment for use in times of calamity, such as ambulance, dump trucks, and rubber boats, as well as relief goods, food packs, and medical supplies.
On Thursday afternoon, some employees of the Provincial Social Welfare Office suspended their paper works at the provincial Capitol as they proceeded to the Takuat Training Center in San Nicolas town to beef up the stocks of relief goods.
Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director, Col. Christopher Abrahano, said members of the Philippine National Police continue to be on red alert since the start of the Covid-19 health crisis and in preparation for the incoming severe weather disturbance. (PNA)
