CRDRRMC Prepares for TD ‘Karen’

Baguio City – Member agencies of the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment core group of the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) convened on Thursday, in preparation for the impending threats of Tropical Depression “Karen”, which is expected to make a landfall on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

In the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said all provinces in the Cordillera Region are included in the list of potential risk areas where moderate to occasionally heavy rains is expected within the 100km radius from the forecast track.

Potential impacts due to severe winds are heavy damage to agriculture; moderate to heavy disruption of power supply and communication services and its strength is likely compared to Typhoon “Lando” in 2015.

There is a possibility that it will intensify into a Severe Tropical Storm or Typhoon category, said Damagis Galati of the PAGASA Baguio weather station.

With the inputs from PAGASA, the CRDRRMC raised it alert level status to “blue.”

CRDRRMC member agencies reported their actions taken in preparation for the cyclone.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) alerted local government units (LGUs) and advised to utilize the OPLAN “LISTO” to monitor its level of preparedness.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prepositioned family packs while the Quick Action Response Teams (QuART) are on standby and ready to be activated.

The Department of Health (DOH) coordinated with provincial health services offices (HSO) and prepositioned medical and laboratory supplies.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) alerted its personnel for possible deployment and prepositioned Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment in coordination with the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) notified its district engineering offices and also prepositioned heavy equipment for possible clearing operations.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will ensure widest dissemination of information through SMS, social media and media partners.

CRDRRMC chairperson and Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Regional Office director Andrew Alex Uy is encouraging line agency personnel and local DRRMCs to take proactive measures to ensure safety of communities.

The CRDRRMC issued a memorandum to all members of the regional and local DRRMCs enjoining them to synchronize efforts and send reports or updates regularly to OCD-CAR. (PNA)
FPV/JOJOLAMARIA