• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) will be on blue alert status from December 22, in time for the Christmas holiday break, until January 2 next year.
PDRRMO chief Irene Bel Ploteña said being on blue alert means their office will maintain skeletal forces that would be monitoring incidents throughout the holidays and will be responding if emergencies arise.
Blue alert requires 50 percent attendance of personnel and involves emergency preparations, according to the incident management system.
Ploteña also said that all government hospitals and health facilities are on “Code White” alert to ensure their readiness, along with their personnel, to respond to any potential health emergencies.
Based on DOH’s color codes, Code White Alert refers to the readiness of hospitals, particularly, general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, ophthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists (eye, ear, nose, throat specialists) to respond to emergencies at any time.
Ploteña warned the public not to drink alcohol, while driving, and to make sure their vehicles are in good shape, to avoid mass casualty incidents along the road.
Malacañang has issued a memorandum circular on Thursday suspending work in all government offices on December 29 and January 2 next year to allow government employees to fully celebrate the New Year’s Day festivities.
However, government agencies responsible for basic, vital, and health services, as well as preparedness and response duties have been ordered to remain operational.*
