‘Odette’ to graze through seven Iloilo towns; DSWD preps aid

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Typhoon Odette (international name: ‘Rai’) is set to make its presence felt the most in seven southern towns in Iloilo province, according to the chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Tuesday, December 14.

Regional DRRM Council General Flood Advisory No. 04 as of 6:00 p.m. of Dec. 14 indicated that the typhoon was located at 1,000 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 125 kilometers per hour.

PDRRMO chief Dr. Jerry Bionat told Daily Guardian that Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. called for an emergency meeting for updates.

Bionat stated that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicated that Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Tubungan, Miagao, and San Joaquin towns in Iloilo, and Anini-y and Tobias Fornier towns in Antique would be hit by the “outer rain band”.

He said that landfall would be imminent in those towns between Thursday or Friday, December 16 or 17, but he assured that forecasts showed only lighter effects, with heavier effects to be felt in Negros Oriental.

This means that there will be no indications of landslides in mountainous areas in southern Iloilo, but only storm surges in their coastal areas.

“For us here, we wouldn’t experience that. There will be rain and wind, but not that strong. There will be only falling twigs or branches. In the seaboards, the water will rise and there will be some surges in the southern seaboards in the coastal municipalities, but not necessarily in the inland areas,” Bionat said.

The most affected aspect of the rains in southern Iloilo according to him were rice farmers in those areas.

Bionat added that they have issued a ‘No-fishing’ advice to fisherfolks in these Iloilo towns so that they would not head out to fish.

“Our rice husks are at a mature state right now, so if ever the water would be deep, rice would be affected, and that’s one of the things foreseen. The fisherfolks will also be affected of course,” he said.

But they have also readied evacuation centers and engineering materials for after-surge clearing, and dump trucks are now on standby in flood-prone areas as of this writing.

DSWD-6 READIES FOOD PACKS  

Almost 4,000 family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 6 in preparation for Tropical Storm Odette.

As of 8 a.m. of Dec 14, 2021 DSWD-6 reported in an advisory that a total of 3,535 family food packs have been prepositioned.

Meanwhile, 19,433 FFPs with a total cost of P9,946,902 are on standby. Another 15,898 FFPs and non-food items worth P14,706,749 are on standby at the regional warehouse.

DSWD-6 also has 11 standby service vehicles to transport the goods.

In Aklan, 2,800 FFPs will be prepositioned at the Akan State University in Banga, Aklan.

DSWD-6 also conducted field visits to different areas in the region on Tuesday as part of preparations to ensure reporting and submission of relevant data and actions.

In a separate advisory, the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6) has also advised farmers and fisherfolks to make the necessary measures for the possible effect of Odette once it reaches Western Visayas.

DA-6 recommended farmers to harvest mature crops as early as possible before the onset of the tropical storm.

Farmers are also advised to postpone crop establishment, particularly direct-seeding, during the week until early next week to save seeds or planting materials from being washed out.

Seed reserves, planting materials and other farm inputs must also be secured in safe and proper storage areas. Farm machineries, equipment, and other tools to higher grounds

Moreover, farmers are advised to clear drainage in irrigation and rice paddies from obstructions to prevent flooding and secure sufficient feeds and water for relocated animals.

DA-6 also recommended the farmers to continuously monitor advisories and coordinate with proper authorities for further preparedness actions.

On the other hand, fisherfolks are likewise advised to do early harvest of aquaculture products and mobilize post-harvest equipment and facilities. Fishing vessels must also be secured in higher ground.

The agency also warned fisherfolks to dismiss sea travel as potential rough sea conditions prevails over affected seaboards

Both the farmers and fisherfolks are enjoined to monitor advisories from local authorities and take precautionary measures as necessary. (With a report from ERS)