BAD WEATHER. Military troops launch a search and rescue operation amid floods in Pantukan, Davao de Oro on Feb. 1, 2024. The Philippine Ports Authority on Wednesday (Feb. 7) said it would prioritize the movement of cargo containing relief goods headed to the Davao Region in all of its ports nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Pantukan, Davao de Oro MDRRMC)
MANILA – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is prioritizing the movement of cargo containing relief goods headed to the Davao Region in all of its ports nationwide.
In a statement Wednesday, the PPA said disaster-relief goods from ships and other sea-going vessels are being brought to the Davao region following floods and landslides caused by a low-pressure area (LPA) last week.
The priority operation covers motor vehicles for carrying cargo and the provision of a designated area for relief cargo.
Meanwhile, PPA personnel and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have assisted the Port Management Office (PMO) in Davao which was affected by the flooding and landslides.
The PCG’s BRP Suluan reached the Port of Mati on Saturday carrying PPA and PCG personnel as well as a cargo of relief goods.
“May dala ang nasabing barko ng higit-kumulang na 20,000 packs ng relief goods na nakalaan sa mga komunidad na matinding naapektuhan ng kalamidad (The ship was carrying around 20,000 packs of relief goods designated for communities that took the worst of the calamity),” it said.
On the other hand, several nearby PMOs of the PPA are ready to provide additional relief operations—including PMO Surigao and PMO Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro which created a ‘Task Force for Inclement Weather Conditions’ ready for deployment.
“Kabilang sa kanilang responsibilidad ang pagsasagawa ng komprehensibong risk assessment at pagpapatupad ng aprubadong contingency plan (Their responsibilities include a comprehensive risk assessment and implementing the approved contingency plan),” it said.
PPA personnel manning Malasakit Help Desks have also been tasked with providing first aid to port passengers in need of assistance.
“Mayroon ding mga tarpaulin na naglalaman ng mahahalagang impormasyon sa mga pasahero na nasa loob ng mga pantalan (There are also tarpaulins showing important information to port passengers),” it said.
On Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the effects of bad weather due to a trough of a low-pressure area and the northeast monsoon (amihan) in Davao and other parts of Mindanao has climbed to 18.
To date, some 324,040 families or over 1.2 million persons in 723 villages in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have so far been affected. (PNA)
