Siquijor PDRRMC helps LGUs cope with Pablo

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Dec. 5 (PIA) -- The Prevention/Mitigation Committee of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) here joined hands in rendering assistance to the constituents in coping with Typhoon Pablo. 

The provincial office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) served as its communication center as it has internet connections even during power outages. 

Committee chair and DOST provincial director Engr. Mario de la Pena monitored the PAGASA Weather Bulletin through the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) website starting December 3 to make it ready and available for public queries and to provide updates to the local government units (LGUs) through their Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (MDRRMCs). 

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), as member of the committee provided updates to the LGUs, the people and media through social media and situation reports through SMS to alert the people of the typhoon and inform of the LGUs’ precautionary measures to mitigate its impact. 

The committee also assisted LGU Siquijor in convincing residents along the coastal zone starting from barangay Canal to Seaside Siquijor to evacuate as early as 4 pm of December 4 in order to avoid any untoward incidence as typhoon Pablo is believed to hit the island between 4pm to 7pm. 

It has also been in close contact with Fire Department who is manning the communication system of both the police and fire department and provided information per request of the residents who needed assistance in terms of volunteers to clean up uprooted trees, cut electric poles and other damages. 

Damage to property, infrastructure, power lines and communication system were evident but estimates on the amount were not available yet as of this writing. 

Meanwhile, PDRRMC Executive officer Arturo Pacatang is set to convene all council committee chair to urge them to render damage assessment report. 

He said the province is trying to cope with the damage brought by Pablo and has dispatched teams to help the victims of the typhoon and respond to the requests of the municipalities and barangays in clearing up areas from uprooted and falling trees and other damages. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor with reports from Mario de la Pena/DOST-Siquijor)