The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed
soldiers specializing on disaster response measures in Biol to ensure the
safety of the Bicolanos.
Army Major Gen. Yerson E. Depayso said the Philippine Army
in Bicol has committed all its capabilities and assets for emergencies that
would be caused by Typhoon "Ruby" to ensure the safety of the
Bicolanos with their target of zero casualty.
“Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) is a
major effort of the 9ID since this region is frequented by typhoons,” he said.
Depayso said the military is continuing to train its
personnel on disaster preparedness, rescue operations, and water and search
specialized training to immediately respond in times of disaster.
Army Col. Raul Farnacio, commanding officer of the Army’s
901st Infantry Brigade, said 23 military trucks and three police trucks with 18
disaster response operation units have been mobilized in Albay.
While in Catanduanes, six military trucks were deployed for
evacuation of the people threatened by storm surge and landslide.
The AFP in Bicol activated the Task Force Sagip Ruby as Ruby
was to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Brig.Gen. Felix J Castro Jr., commander of Task Group Sagip
Ruby, said all Army units in Bicol under the 9ID were already on the ground to
lend a hand to the Bicolanos.
He said a battalion-size rescuers and responders were
organized by the 9ID and were deployed across the region before Ruby entered
the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Three rubber boats and water rescue equipment were deployed
in flood-prone-areas like Legazpi
City
“The three infantry brigades and battalions have
prepositioned their personnel with military vehicles and were dispatched for
preemptive evacuation at flood-prone, landslide-prone, and mudflow areas.
Army reservists of the 5th Regional Community Defense Group,
ARESCOM were also alerted for possible deployment,” Castro said.
At least two million Bicolanos evacuated by disaster
responders at the Bicol region were facing complex disaster.
Bernardo “Raffy” Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense regional
director, said 500 families or an equivalent of two million people across the
region have been evacuated to safety.
The biggest number of evacuees came from Albay and Sorsogon
provinces as the complex disaster might occur following the threat of
landslides, flashfloods, lahar flows and storm surges.
Ed Laguerta, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology resident volcanologist, warned disaster officials and responders to
prepare for a worst-case scenario as complex disaster in Bicol is possible as
the restive Mayon might explode while old volcanic materials are expected to go
down in low-lying areas in the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon.
“Typhoon Ruby may trigger sudden Mayon explosion, possible
upper-level collapse and simultaneous remobilization of lahar from the slopes
of the country’s two most active volcanoes, Bulusan in Sorsogon and Mayon in
Albay,” Laguerta said.
“Intense rainfall may trigger upper-level collapse of the
volcano that could lead to explosion. So we need to be ready and prepare for
the worst-case scenario as mudflow may tumble down due to heavy rainfall,” he
said.
In Albay province, even before Ruby’s landfall, raging big
waves pummelled in the coastal areas of Legazpi City
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the province is bracing for
flashfloods, mudflows, storm surges and massive landslides.
“We’re ready for worst and complex scenario. We’re declaring
Albay under state of calamity for the local government units to use their
calamity fund,” Salceda said.
The provincial government of Albay allocated at least Php15
million for disaster response operations and sought assistance from Department
of Social Welfare Department for additional support.
The DSWD allocated 6,000 bags of rice for Albay to support
the needs of almost 600,000 Albayanos evacuated to safer grounds.
“Local government units must complete evacuation before
darkness. Families not evacuated should complete their family preparedness
plan, no extra movement – stay home or stay in evacuation centers. No crossing
of rivers, no sail to sea, fix your homes and secure your pets and other
domestic animals. Our goal is always zero casualty. Remember our policy is no
rescue during the height of typhoon so as not to put the lives of the rescuers
into danger,” the Albay governor reiterated.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=713589
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.