Migz issues directive to mayors: activate operation centers for “Ramon”

PDRRMC members convened at the Villa Del Rey, Capitol Complex in Pili on November 12, this year, for the pre-disaster risk assessment meeting for TD Ramon. LSMacatangay-PIAV/CamSur

PILI, Camarines Sur --- Camarines Sur Governor Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte directed all local chief executives in the province to immediately activate their respective 24/7 operations centers and make all contingencies and preparedness plan ready for systematic implementation.

This, in the wake of the Blue Alert status raised over the province for TD Ramon which has developed into tropical depression on Wednesday morning.

Aside from the mayors, Villafuerte also instructed all chairpersons of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs), Punong Barangays and Barangay DRRMs to closely monitor their respective areas of responsibilities and report to the PDRRMC Operations Center all relevant and urgent information that requires immediate response.

The Governor specially directed the mayors particularly those with constituents living along river banks, landslide and flood-prone areas to be vigilant and employ precautionary measures to avoid any casualty. LGUs Libmanan and Nabua immediately heeded the directive and immediately pre-positioned their response teams for round the clock monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bicol River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center based in Pili, Camarines Sur also issued Flood Advisory No. 1 on Wednesday evening, alerting residents of low-lying areas which are likely to be affected by the sudden rise of water within their vicinity.

Low lying areas in Camarines Sur which are likely to be affected by flooding include the municipalities of Bato, Nabua, Baao, Bula, Buhi, Pili, Camaligan, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, Gainza, San Fernando, Calabanga, Cabusao, Libmanan and Sipocot, including the cities of Iriga and Naga.

In Albay, water level may also rise in barangays covered by the municipalities of Libon, Oas and Ligao.

In the said advisory, DOST also did not discount the possibility of the occurrence of flood in urban and agricultural areas due to poor drainage system and impounding water. LSMacatangay-PIAV/Camarines Sur.