BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council called for an emergency meeting yesterday with members of its Response Committee in preparation for the possible development of a tropical depression into a storm with the code name Odette.
Executive assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head of Disaster Risk Reduction Management, yesterday said the meeting held by DRRMO head Ana Pornan was attended by representatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Education, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Social Services and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Ceneco, Baciwa, Liga ng mga Barangays, and rescue groups.
Vargas said that during the meeting, they identified possible evacuation centers in the north, south and eastern part of Bacolod in case of evacuation since some schools are still being used as quarantine facilities.
The DSSD will be checking for available rooms today, as well the nearest barangay that could serve as evacuation area. Because of health protocols due to COVID-19 only one family will be allowed to occupy one room since they could not mix them with other families, he said.
Vargas said the police will patrol the city before and after the storm and also monitor Murcia and Salvador Benedicto for possible flashfloods.
The DRRMO will provide transportation while Baciwa will provide water and Ceneco will conduct clearing operations, he said, adding that the City Health Office will provide medical assistance in the evacuation centers, he said.
Pornan will also request the mayor to issue a public advisory in preparation for the typhoon, Vargas said.
PAGASA has forecasted that Odette is expected to pass through Negros late Thursday or early Friday morning and could place us under Storm Signal No. 3. But since it has not yet entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), so they so not know yet what could happen, he said.
It will pass through Negros, Surigao City, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Panay and Palawan, Vargas said.
The barangay officials especially in the coastal barangays will be involved in reminding their constituents to be always prepared, he added.*
