By Pearl Gumapos
Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara on Tuesday (June 2) issued an advisory placing the province under preparedness status for the effects of tropical storm Dante.
Bichara also ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in flood, lahar flow, storm surge, and landslide-prone areas, particularly on the eastern side.
In anticipation of heavy rains expected to hover over Bicol provinces on Wednesday, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) directed its counterparts in 15 towns and three cities to be on high alert for possible adverse events in mountain slopes and low-lying areas.
Placing the province under evacuation status is a preemptive measure in preparation for the storm, Bichara said in an interview with Philippine News Agency.
The measure for preparedness directs all municipal/city DRRMCs to review their contingency plans, particularly the towns of Manito, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi, and the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco.
The advisory also imposed a “no sailing” policy on all seacraft in territorial coastal and inland waters.
Meanwhile, the public was urged to prepare early and buy essential household commodities.
The local disaster councils were also ordered to submit periodic monitoring and activity reports for possible support.
Bichara also directed local disaster councils to see to it that the evacuation of vulnerable populations must be completed before nightfall.
He also ordered the suspension of work in both private and government offices, online and in-person classes, and mall operations, except for agencies whose functions are related to public safety and disaster risk reduction.
At least 403 individuals, eight buses, 81 trucks, 27 light vehicles, and seven vessels are now stranded in different ports in the region due to Dante, the Philippine Coast Guard said. -jlo
