Disaster Council on alert as tropical storm 'Dindo' hits the Cordilleras

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

Thursday 28th of June 2012

BAGUIO CITY, June 28 (PIA) -- The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) is on red alert status as heavy rains continue as tropical storm Dindo maintained its course threatening northern Luzon.

Office of Civil Defense Planning Officer Jojo Valera said that provincial, municipal, city, and down to the barangay level Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council teams in the region have been activated since Tuesday afternoon. The different government agency members of the CDRRMC are also on alert to provide services and assistance.

Since yesterday evening, storm signals had been hoisted in all Cordillera provinces.

According to Valera, the Department of Interior and Local Government mandated the local Disaster Operation Centers and Emergency responders in the respective local government units and ordered them to monitor their respective areas on a skeletal force 24-7.

The Department of Public Works and Highways also positioned their heavy equipments including those private-owned, in the different roads in the different road networks region wide prone to landslide or rock slides.

Earlier today, the DPWH reported that the Sabangan Bridge in Mountain Province was closed because the ongoing repair works were suspended due to bad weather. The Alapang Section of the Kabayan-Buguais-Abatan Road was also closed this morning due to landslides. The private-owned equipment cleared the area.

Except for the mentioned roads, the DPWH said that all roads are still opened, but motorists are reminded to be cautious.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development already prepared 2,000 family packs in the regional office and pre-positioned 400 more in the different provinces. They are also ready with their Quick Response Fund amounting to P500,000. The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams and the Quick Action Response Teams (QuART) had also been activated.

The Philippine National Police also activated their DRRMC teams and their OPLAN Saklolo to assist in any possible way on any untoward incident in the region.

The Philippine Information Agency, together with the PNP, is also assisting in the dissemination of weather and warning advisories sent to different media outfits and to the public.

The OCD-CAR also started using the SMART Infoboard Service in disseminating weather advisories and bulletins to government agencies, media practitioners, and to the public as a faster means of communication along with the phone and facsimile service, email, social network, and SMS or text messaging.

Meanwhile, Valera reported that they are still getting updates on the status of the dams today from their central office since the new protocol of reporting the water status of the dams should go through the national level and the National Power Corporation before being disseminated to the regional DRRMC and LGUs. As of yesterday the Binga and Ambuklao Dams have not yet reached the critical level, he said. (JDP/RC-PIA CAR)