OCD, sa mga residente ng Cagayan Valley: Maghanda para sa epekto ng low pressure area

PINAYUHAN ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) ang mga residente ng Cagayan Valley (Region 2) na maghanda para sa potensiyal na epekto ng bagong low pressure area (LPA) na maaaring ma-develop sa isang tropical depression sa loob ng 24 oras.

Sa ilalim ng paggabay ni Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at OCD Administrator USec. Ariel Nepomuceno nagpalabas si OCD-2 Regional Director Leon Rafael Jr. ng isang memorandum order na nagbabalangkas sa critical measures na kailangangan ipatupad ng local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) councils para ayusin ang ‘preparedness at response protocols’ sa buong rehiyon.

Inatasan ang Local DRRM councils na simulan ang preparatory activities upang masiguro ang kahandaan para sa posibleng epekto ng LPA, na tatawaging “Kristine” sa oras na ma-develop ito sa tropical depression at pumasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) ngayong araw ng Lunes.

Inatasan din ang mga ito na masusing i-monitor ang weather advisories at local conditions, magsagawa ng pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meetings, at magpatupad ng preparedness measures na detalyado sa “Operation Listo,” sa advocacy program ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na naglalayong palakasin ang disaster preparedness ng local government units (LGUs).

“Additionally, they are encouraged to improve risk communication by tailoring messages for better community understanding. Pre-emptive evacuations should be considered if necessary, and essential resources—including response assets, relief goods, medical supplies, and other logistical support—should be prepositioned as warranted,” ang sinabi ng OCD.

“As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the LPA was located approximately 1,460 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon,” ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Sinabi ng PAGASA na malaki ang posibilidad na tumama si ‘Kristine’ sa extreme Northern Luzon at maaaring maabot ang typhoon intensity bago pa mag-landfall.

Tinuran pa ng OCD na ang regional office nito sa Cagayan Valley ay mayroong mahigpit na koordinasyon sa lalawigan ng Batanes, na kamakailan lamang ay apektado ng Super Typhoon “Julian,” upang matiyak na maibibigay ang lahat ng kakailanganing suporta para sa mga ito.

“Additionally, the agency is actively disseminating weather advisories and monitoring the status of the Magat Dam, as well as major river systems and tributaries, including water sources from the Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountains,” ang sinabi ng OCD.

“Backup communication systems are operational, and continuous coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City is being maintained,”ang sinabi pa rin nito. ( Daris Jose)