PREPARED. Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol regional director and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairperson, says on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022) they have placed all disaster response offices on red alert to prepare for the possible onslaught of Tropical Storm Florita. Classes in public and private schools at all levels were suspended in the province of Albay; Juban town in Sorsogon; and Sangay town in Camarines Sur; as heavy rains fell across the region. (Screengrab by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – Several local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol Region have suspended classes in all levels as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Emergency Operations Center in Bicol has placed all disaster response offices on red alert effective immediately to prepare for the possible onslaught of Tropical Storm (TS) Florita.
During an emergency meeting on Monday, Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol regional director and Bicol DRRMC chairperson, said the raising of alert status is necessary due to the intensification of the weather disturbance, and to heighten appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods, or landslides. Several LGUs in Bicol have suspended classes as "Florita" began dumping heavy rains across the region.
Among the areas that canceled classes in public and private schools at all levels were the province of Albay; Juban town in Sorsogon; and Sangay town in Camarines Sur.
"We need to prepare, we are closely monitoring the developments of TS Florita and evaluating the need for evacuation for the high-risk area and barangays it shall be led by the local DRRMCs in coordination with concern agencies," Yucot said.
He said that due to possible interruption of electricity, mobile, and internet connections, provincial and local DRMMCs are advised to explore all means of communicating advisories to the community.
OCD-Bicol likewise recommended the trimming of trees in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as de-clogging and cleaning of canals and rivers to prevent flooding, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Yucot also said provincial DRRMCs should update their emergency operations center hotlines on their respective websites, social media pages, and other public profiles.
"Ensure the availability of technical staff on duty at your LGU or agency's respective 24/7 operations centers as the RDRRMC EOC may contact your operations center whenever necessary," he said.
OCD-Bicol said a gale warning has been issued reminding the fisher folks utilizing small boats not to sail.
He also reiterated the social distancing and hygiene measures "in response activities concerning the coronavirus pandemic".
In his presentation, Engr. Melvin Almojuela, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Bicol, said no tropical cyclone weather signal will be raised in the region but they expect light to moderate to occasionally heavy rain for the next days.
"It (TS Florita) is zero possibility to go in the Bicol region but heavy rainfall is expected. We already issued heavy rainfall warnings in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon. For Albay, an Orange warning was issued which means community preparedness must be imposed, flooding is threatening in low-lying areas near river channels and landslides in mountainous areas," Almojuela said.
For Sorsogon, a lower Yellow warning or community awareness was raised but flooding may occur in low-lying areas near river channels. (PNA)
