Sea trips cancelled as NegOcc, Bacolod brace for ‘Odette’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday ordered the suspension of roll on-roll off and other sea vessel trips in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City as storm signal number 1 was hoisted with the entry of tropical storm Odette in the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz on Wednesday also called on Negrenses to prepare for the worst scenario.

“Also let us not forget to pray that we will be spared ” Diaz told reporters here.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson placed disaster units of various local government units (LGUs) under “red alert” status in anticipation of torrential rains that may hit the province because of the typhoon.

Lacson, who chairs the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, advised all LGUs to heighten their preparedness, and initiate pro-active measures and take appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods or landslides.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Official also placed on standby its Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) to extend assistance to individuals, who may be affected by the bad weather, said deputy provincial police spokesperson P/Lt. Abegael Donasco.

The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade also alerted its rescue units and vehicles for mobilization.

PDRRMC action officer Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian said “Odette” is anticipated to hit the islands of Negros, Guimaras and Panay while proceeding to Palawan.

According the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Odette has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 70 kph while moving westward at 10 kph, and is expected to intensify into a typhoon category before it makes landfall on Thursday.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Admiral Leopoldo V. Laroya also directed District, Station, and Sub-Station Commanders in areas that will be directly affected by Typhoon Odette to prepare for evacuations, rescue operations, and relief missions, in coordination with local government units.

Laroya specifically instructed Coast Guard units in Western Visayas and Caraga regions to immediately activate their deployable response groups (DRGs) and quick response teams (QRTs), and inspect available search and rescue (SAR) assets and equipment.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council called for an emergency meeting Tuesday with members of its Response Committee in preparation for the possible development of Odette a storm.

Executive assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head of Disaster Risk Reduction Management, yesterday said the meeting held by DRRMO head Ana Pornan was attended by representatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Education, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Social Services and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, CENECO, BACIWA, Liga ng mga Barangays, and rescue groups.

Vargas said that during the meeting, they identified possible evacuation centers in the north, south and eastern part of Bacolod in case of evacuation since some schools are still being used as quarantine facilities.

The DSSD will be checking for available rooms today, as well the nearest barangay that could serve as evacuation area. Because of health protocols due to COVID-19 only one family will be allowed to occupy one room since they could not mix with other families, he said.

Vargas said the police will patrol the city before and after the storm and also monitor Murcia and Salvador Benedicto for possible flashfloods.

The DRRMO will provide transportation while BACIWA will provide water and CENECO will conduct clearing operations, he said, adding that the City Health Office will provide medical assistance in the evacuation centers.