(File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has begun the deployment of its troops and assets as the country braces for Tropical Storm Rai that will be named “Odette” once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday night.
In a Facebook post, PCG commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya on Tuesday directed several PCG districts, stations, and sub-stations to prepare for evacuations, rescue operations, and relief missions in coordination with local government units.
Laroya has specifically instructed PCG units in the Caraga and Western Visayas regions to immediately activate their deployable response groups (DRG) and quick response teams (QRT) as well as inspect their available search and rescue (SAR) assets and equipment.
“Let us monitor closely and coordinate proactively to ensure the safety of lives so we could all celebrate Christmas with our families and loved ones,” Laroya said.
In response to the directive, the PCG said all its vessels that are ‘ready for sail’ have been tasked to take shelter while station and sub-station commanders in affected areas are preparing for the issuance of appropriate maritime safety advisories to the public.
For PCG units that are not in areas expected to be directly hit by the tropical storm, they were tasked to work with the PCG Auxiliary in repacking food, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and other relief packages to ensure the swift provision of humanitarian assistance to communities that will be affected.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said over 10,000 barangays in the Visayas and Mindanao and some areas in Southern Luzon are likely to be affected once "Odette" makes a landfall. (PNA)
