Bicol’s DRRMC to disaster councils: “Operationalize your EOCs”

LEGAZPI CITY --- Bicol’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on Wednesday has directed various local disaster councils to operationalize its respective Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and submit and put to action their respective disaster preparedness and response plan.

The RDRRMC on Tuesday was placed of “Red Alert” in preparation for the impending effects of TS Ambo when it landfall in Bicol either on Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director and RDRRMC chair said that among the directive arrived at during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on Tuesday include: the setting up of a 24/7 EOC in every province, town and cities of Bicol, conduct an inventory of available supply, equipment and vehicles to be used in disaster operations.

The directive also include the inventory of available logistical supply requirements need by disaster responders.

Yucot asked the six PDRRMC and 114 M/CDRRMC in Bicol to regularly check disaster operation guidelines issued by members of the Regional Task Force on a 24/7 starting on Wednesday.

TD Ambo has intensified and has turned into a Tropical Storm before it hits Bicol according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA on Wednesday has raised storm signal number one over northern Samar.

TS Ambo with a speed of 15 kph is moving slowly towards the Northwest packing wind of up to 85 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

Ambo under signal one would bring strong to near-gale force winds producing rough seas over the eastern seaboard of Bicol.

TCWS #1 may be raised over Sorsogon this afternoon, PAGASA forecast indicated.