City holds meeting preparation for super typhoon ‘Marwa’

In preparation for the possible effects of Super Typhoon ‘Marwa’ (International Name) that is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the evening of Friday, May 26, or early morning of Saturday, May 27, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) conducted a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting, May 24, via zoom.

Members of the CDRRM Council (CDRRMC) and the Summer Capital’s barangay district chairpersons joined the meeting where the preparedness and concerns of each barangay was reported.

Several of the barangays reported trees that are about to fall in their respective areas so that personnel of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) and City Environment and Parks Management Office were asked to immediately handle the matter before the storm hits.

CDRRMO head Antonette Anaban, chief secretariat of the CDRRMC, said the city’s evacuation centers have also been prepared and are stocked with the needed food supplies and available personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

She said the City Engineering Office (CEO) is currently undertaking monitoring and clearing operations of the city lagoon and that concerned barangays were also tasked to clear the waterways in their jurisdictions.

Anaban is reminding the public to always be updated on the storm’s progress “at paiba-iba ang kanyang galaw” and to be prepared for any eventualities.

“As individuals and in our own households, we should be aware of our surroundings and practice the necessary safety precautions. We should take responsibility for our own safety and that of our families and not solely rely on the government,” she stressed.

The public is advised to continuously monitor weather reports; ensure that they have enough food and water supply; check their home if there is anything to be fixed like a leaky roof or trees that need to be trimmed; secure their pets in a safe place; evacuate immediately and calmly if ordered by the authorities to avoid flash floods and landslides; among others. – Gaby B. Keith