Naga braces for ‘Opong’; disaster response agency on red alert

By Paulo DS Papa and Conie Calipay

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recently ordered the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) to prepare for the heavy rains and strong winds that Typhoon Opong is expected to bring to Bicol on Friday, Sept. 26.

The tropical storm, according to weather specialist Mike Padua, is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm by tomorrow, bringing up to 180mm of rain across the entire region.

In his report on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 24, Padua stated that the severe tropical storm is expected to make landfall along the coast of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur early Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gustiness of up to 160 km/h, moving at a speed of 31 km/h.

PAGASA-DOST announced that as of 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the typhoon has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), carrying maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h, gusts of 105 km/h, and moving toward Bicol from the southeast at 15 km/h.

In response, the CDRRMC convened barangay DRRMCs last Monday to discuss preparations for the approaching storm, according to Reynor Rodriguez, CDRRM Officer.

Rodriguez said that barangay BDRRMCs have already been tasked with clearing drainage systems and reassessing flood-prone areas to identify the main causes of flooding.

He added that barangay officials have also been directed to prepare evacuation centers for residents who may need to be relocated.

Through these efforts, the City Social Welfare and Development Office will be better equipped to assess and respond to the needs of evacuees, he said.

He further disclosed that, according to PAGASA, the storm may bring 100mm to 200mm of rainfall, and emphasized the importance of encouraging the public to prepare adequately — even to overestimate the potential impact of the weather disturbance.

Meanwhile, in Leagzpi City, The Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has raised its alert status to red in preparation for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

In an interview Wednesday, Claudio Yucot, director of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol and chairperson of the Bicol DRRMC, said all disaster response clusters, along with provincial, city, and municipal DRRMCs, need to be ready for potential preemptive evacuations of residents at risk of floods, landslides, and lahar flows.

“As a result of our pre-disaster risk assessment, we issued Memorandum No. 62, raising the alert status to red. We are also checking our communication systems, and response clusters must prepare for preemptive evacuations, as well as ensure that their corresponding evacuation centers are ready,” he said.

Yucot added that response clusters must preposition their response assets, including those from the Philippine Army, Air Force, Navy, Philippine National Police, and Coast Guard.

National government agencies that are part of the response cluster and are activated, including the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Police Regional Office-5, and the Joint Task Force Bicolandia.

Additional agencies involved are the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Office of Civil Defense for logistics.

“All respective response teams must be on standby for possible deployment. Cluster leads should activate personnel who will be part of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) team for immediate deployment after the impact of the tropical cyclone. They must also test all available means of communication at the local level,” he said.

Yucot reminded local government units to prepare evacuation centers and resources, and to advise constituents, especially those in flood-, landslide-, and lahar-prone areas, to be ready for evacuation.

“It is important to alert residents in landslide-prone, flood-prone, and coastal areas at risk of storm surges to prepare for possible evacuation. Immediate dissemination of weather bulletins and advisories to all Barangay DRRM Committees is essential for prompt information sharing in the communities,” he said.

The regional disaster response agency recommended implementing a no-sailing policy for small fishing and motorized passenger bancas starting Thursday.

“LGUs should begin cleaning drainage systems and trimming trees, particularly along main thoroughfares, to ensure public safety,” he added.

The Bicol University (BU) has suspended face-to-face classes for more than 25,000 students across its campuses on Wednesday.

The suspension gives students ample time to travel to their home provinces or residences in anticipation of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Opong in the Bicol region.

On Sept. 24, all classes at the university will be conducted online in an asynchronous format.

Classes, both face-to-face and online, scheduled for Thursday will be suspended until further notice.

The suspension of work for university personnel will be announced following the official declaration from the Provincial Government of Albay.

The staff are advised to secure classrooms, offices, official documents, equipment, and other resources to minimize potential damage.

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, Opong was tracked 855 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.

It is forecast to make landfall over the Bicol Region on Friday afternoon, then cross southern Luzon until Saturday.

Local chief executives across various provinces in the Bicol region have issued advisories, including class suspensions, to ensure public safety as they prepare for the impact of Tropical Storm Opong.

In Albay, Governor Noel Rosal suspended classes in all levels, both private and public schools, shifting to an alternative learning mode on Wednesday, and has continued the suspension on Thursday.

The decision on the suspension of work for private firms is left to the discretion of their management.

Banks are encouraged to ensure that ATMs are operational and adequately stocked with cash.

Rosal also prohibited all river crossings by foot and vehicle, as well as river fishing and swimming.

Mass gatherings, outdoor activities, educational tours, and related events, especially those outside the province, have been suspended, and any previously issued permits are revoked.

Rosal also urged farmers to harvest mature crops and marketable products early and to secure their livestock with an adequate supply of feeds and fresh grass or silage.

Fishing boats and gear should be evacuated to safer locations to prevent damage.

In Sorsogon, Governor Edwin Hamor issued an executive order suspending classes in all levels on Thursday.

The decision follows the recommendation from the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to prioritize public safety.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte directed local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to implement pre-emptive evacuations in barangays highly susceptible to flooding and landslides.

The order mandates that evacuation should be completed by noon on Sept. 25, with coordination required with local barangay committees to identify vulnerable communities and organize evacuation to designated centers.

Masbate Governor Richard Kho ordered all local government units to activate their local disaster response units.

Meanwhile, Legazpi City Mayor Hisham Ismail said the city aims for zero casualties and is working to ensure the readiness of response teams.

“The police would assist in persuading barangay captains or officials to convince residents to evacuate. If necessary, the police will facilitate enforced evacuations. The timing of a potential curfew will depend on the typhoon’s arrival to avoid premature or delayed action,” he said in an interview.

Ismail added that previous evacuations resulted in about 35,000 individuals seeking refuge in evacuation centers.

He said they are preparing, especially in areas where homes are constructed from light materials, which are more prone to accidents and can endanger neighboring properties.

The Legazpi local government unit has over 40,000 capsules of medicine for leptospirosis available for residents potentially exposed to floodwaters, especially those with open wounds.

“The medicine can be collected from the City Health Office, but he suggested that barangay officials take responsibility for its distribution, with health workers providing guidance on proper usage to properly use the medicine,” he said.

Government agencies in the Bicol Region have begun preparations for the potential impact of a weather disturbance expected to enter the country this week, to be named “Opong.”

Commodore Ivan Roldan, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard District Bicol, said stations and sub-stations are on heightened alert, with personnel and resources on standby.

“As part of our proactive measures, we have activated Disaster Response Groups (DRGs), intensified monitoring of all ports, and are closely coordinating with local government units, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and other relevant agencies,” he said.

Roldan said 10 land and 15 floating assets are strategically positioned to ensure public safety and to assist in case of emergencies.

“We have 483 personnel on standby, and 81 DRG teams are ready to assist across the six provinces in the region. Our personnel are also conducting pre-departure inspections to ensure compliance with sea travel safety protocols,” he added in an interview.

Lovella Guarin, Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) spokesperson, said the agency activated a 24/7 command center to monitor the situation and provide guidance on early harvesting for certain crops.

“Our regional director is now conducting a meeting with other officials to ensure the readiness of our agency. Combine harvesters are stationed at various DA research outreach centers across the six provinces to assist farmers,” Guarin said.

Over 140,000 hectares in the region are planted with rice, corn and other valued crops, which are anticipated to be harvested in the fourth quarter.

The agency has pre-positioned buffer stocks of seeds for farmers. (PNA)