Bicol on ‘Red Alert’ status due to ‘Ambo’

Two days before Tropical Depression “Ambo” is expected to make landfall along the coast of Albay or Sorsogon province, a ‘Red Alert’ status was raised over Bicol region Tuesday, May 12 as the region braces for the impact of the first typhoon to enter the country this year.

“Ambo,” which is expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), will make landfall early morning of Thursday, May 14.

Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chief Claudio Yucot issued the order raising the “Red Alert” status, under which local disaster offices must “implement preparedness measures and put operations centers and response teams stationed throughout” the region.

Yucot, who is also the director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol, instructed the establishment of holding areas and choke points for trucks going to affected ports in the region.

Starting 12 noon on Wednesday (May 13), a no sailing policy will also be implemented in Bicol ports.

Meanwhile, facilities that are not used for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response will be used as additional evacuation centers for families that will be in areas at risk of flooding, landslides, and strong winds.