By Leilanie Adriano/Philippine News Agency
LAOAG CITY — With the onset of the rainy season, rice farmers here have started plowing their fields while the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) is now gearing up to ensure zero casualty during calamities.
Marcel Tabije, head of the Provincial Resiliency Office, said Thursday the province is currently leading an information dissemination drive to city and municipal disaster risk reduction management officers regarding the onset of the typhoon season.
“Aside from constantly monitoring our weather, we are also in close coordination with our community officials to monitor our flood-prone areas, landslide-prone areas, and storm surge risk areas in coastal municipalities,” Tabije said.
As part of PDRRMRC’s disaster prevention and mitigation, the council has already prepositioned equipment for use in times of calamity, such as ambulances, dump trucks, and rubber boats including relief goods, food packs, and medical supplies.
The council is also making rounds in various parts of the province to make sure all evacuation centers and its facilities are ready and available.
In September 2018, Typhoon “Ompong” heavily devastated Ilocos Norte with estimated damages of over PHP4 billion mostly in infrastructure and agriculture.
Fortunately, the province managed to maintain zero casualty as the PDRRMC, through the help of village health workers, conducted regular monitoring on the health conditions of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women who are most vulnerable during a typhoon.
Livestock owners are also urged to be vigilant during heavy rains and make sure their animals are brought to designated shelters in the village.
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