During the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting, member agencies of the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) unanimously decide to go on heightened alert in anticipation of possible emergency situations in the observance of Lenten season or Holy Week. The alert status of the regional emergency operations center hoisted to blue effective Thursday, April 6, 2017.
According to Cordillera RDRRMC Chairperson Dir. Andrew Alex Uy, this is a precautionary measure to prepare for the worst-case scenarios since most of the incidents being monitored during summer vacation are vehicular traffic accidents and drowning incidents, and also expecting heavy traffic due to influx of tourists especially in Baguio City and some other tourist destinations.
“While others are preparing for vacation, we will be preparing to ensure public safety especially during holidays.” said Dir. Uy during the PDRA meeting.
As the lead agency of the council’s Search Rescue & Retrieval Cluster (SRR), Col. Leo Imbang Jr, Commanding Officer of the 503rd Brigade Philippine Army, presented some security measures being implemented by armed personnel.
Also, Engr. Hilario Esperanza, PAGASA Baguio Chief Meteorologist, gave weather outlook which based on extended forecast for the next four (4) days, isolated thunderstorms are expected in some parts of the region. Engr. Esperanza announced termination of Northeast Monsoon or Amihan which is the official start of dry season.
Other agencies presented their actions taken in preparation for the Holy Week.
The Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor) ensures public information drive on safety measures thru tri-media, activated joint assistance hub in coordination with Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Transportation (DOTr), while their Search Rescue and Medical teams are on standby and ready to be deployed.
The Department of Health Cordillera (DOH-CAR) is on 24/7 monitoring for health-related events mainly mass casualty incidents. DOH-CAR alerted government hospitals, prepositioned medical and laboratory supplies at the regional office down to the provincial health offices, and is ready to augment additional emergency response teams in case needed.
Meanwhile, the crisis intervention section of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on alert and ready for the provision of medical and food assistance, SWAD teams are ready to be deployed, and resources are in placed.
Local Government Units will be directed to prepare thru a memorandum issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government. DILG reiterated augmentation from nearby municipalities to Baguio in the event the city will be needing assistance.
All national roads are open to traffic as per the status of road networks reported by the Department of Public Works and Highways. To avoid heavy traffic, the department plans to suspend construction projects during holidays. They also strategically prepositioned teams to assist motorists through “Alalay sa Manlalakbay” program.
Similarly, the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 1 (TOG1) supports air operations. TOG1 confirmed aircrafts to be on standby.
Media assistance for wider dissemination of public advisories is also guaranteed by the Philippine Information Agency Cordillera (PIA-CAR).
The Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR) as the lead agency for Logistics Cluster will be providing logistical support to members of the CRDRRMC and its local counterparts, and activated its skeletal duty system to conduct coordination to concerned agencies and LDRRMCs operations center. OCD-CAR maximizes its textblast system and social media accounts to disseminate road safety advisories and weather bulletins.
The alert level status of the Cordillera RDRRMC operations center will be downgraded to white on April 17, 2017.
By HENT
