Cebu City Readies Team to Help Northern Luzon Areas Hit by Super Typhoon Lawin

The Cebu City Government has prepared a team of responders which can be sent to northern Luzon to assist areas hit by super typhoon “Lawin”.

Nagiel Banacia, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) chief, said they have informed the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 7 that they are ready to deploy a team to Lawin-hit areas.

Lawin is reported to be almost as strong as super typhoon Yolanda which devastated northern Cebu and other parts of Eastern Visayas, especially Tacloban City on Nov. 8, 2013.

“We put ourselves on high alert in case there is a need for reinforcement or assistance in northern Luzon. They were hit by typhoon Karen and now super typhoon Lawin,” he said.

Banacia said the city will also ask for help from other sectors like the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) in Cebu City as well as doctors in case they will be deployed.

Bañacia said they will just wait for the assessment on what type of assistance may be needed in the affected areas.

The city also readied their emergency equipment to be used during calamities like typhoons although “Lawin” is not expected to hit Cebu, he said.(PNA) LAP/EB/EDS