ILOILO CITY — The entire Western Visayas region is classified as high-risk due to Tropical Storm “Odette”.
In an advisory, the Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) classified high-risk in Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo.
Ma. Aletha Nogra, officer-in-charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-6), said that all DRRMCs activated “Charlie Protocol”. This means that all DRRMC emergency operations centers are under red alert status.
All DRRMCs have to relay relevant information and warn residents of risks of flooding, landslides, storm surges while urging for pre-emptive evacuation.
“Odette” is projected to pass through the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros Wednesday or Thursday.
Both Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas have directed for disaster-risk preparedness. Relief items are in place while rescue teams are also in place.
Mayor Ronnie Dadivas of Roxas City in Capiz province has urged coastal residents to evacuate early and not wait when “Odette” hits.