DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Mayor Maria Angela Garcia of Dinalupihan, Bataan discusses disaster preparedness to mitigate the possible effect of Typhoon "Rolly" on Friday (Oct. 30, 2020). Rolly is expected to bring gusty winds and heavy rains over areas in Central Luzon as it was forecast to make landfall over the Aurora-Quezon area on Sunday evening (Nov. 1, 2020) or Monday (Nov. 2, 2020). (Photo by Ernie Esconde)
DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – The municipal government here has stepped up measures ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon "Rolly" (Goni).
Mayor Maria Angela Garcia of this flood-prone town said while they are prepared for the typhoon's impact, they are also hoping to be spared from possible extensive damage due to the typhoon.
“Dinalupihan is known for geohazards, flooding, and landslides,” she said.
Garcia said the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) as well as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) have been activated and will be on alert status 24/7 starting on Saturday.
During recent Typhoons Pepito and Quinta, she said the MDRRMO and PDRRMO were able to immediately respond to any emergencies.
“Magbibigay tayo ng mga abiso sa ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mga barangay officials na talagang nagmo-monitor din (We will give advisories to our citizenry through the barangay officials who will also monitor),” she said.
The mayor said declogging of canals in every barangay was already done.
“Alam namin ang geohazard assessment ng bawat barangay at alam ito ng mga barangay officials kaya alam nila ang mga dapat nilang gawin. Nagmo-monitor kami round the clock kung ano ang magiging epekto nito (We know the geohazard assessment of each barangay and the barangay officials know it so they know what they have to do. We monitor round the clock to assess what the effect will be),” Garcia said.
She also announced that her request for the construction of an evacuation center was already approved by the Office of Civil Defense.
The evacuation center, with an estimated cost of up to PHP40 million, would rise in a 3,000-square meter land in Barangay Colo to house evacuees in the landlocked town, Garcia said.
Meanwhile, the weather was good and the sun shone brightly in the province on Friday as farmers were able to dry their newly-harvested palay on concrete roads. (PNA)
