BAGUIO CITY – The city government, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), is on red alert status on Sunday, Sept. 25, in preparation for the possible effects of super typhoon “Karding” (international name “Noru”).
The decision to raise this city's alert status was reached during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting via Zoom of CDRRMC members conducted by the CDRRM Office and presided by over by City Administrator Bonifacio dela Pena who represented Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Dela Pena said to be on red alert means that all concerned agencies are on highest preparedness and their personnel are on standby for any eventualities during the entire duration of the emergency.
He said it is always important to be pro-active in dealing with calamities and to always be united and prepared for any eventualities that emergencies may bring.
All Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel in daytime and night time shifts are on standby. Their equipment like vehicles, radios, fire trucks, mobile units, and canine units for search and rescue operations are ready.
Barangay district representatives have been tasked to immediately activate their Barangay Health and Emergency Rescue Teams (BHERTS), prepare the needed equipment, and conduct pre-emptive evacuation if necessary.
Dela Pena said evacuation centers are ready and the stockpile of food supplies is good for 48 hours. They also have been coordinating with barangays for the possible conduct of pre-emptive evacuations in their areas.
The City Engineering Office (CEO) has several teams and their equipment like backhoes, loaders, trucks, vehicles, and others are ready for clearing operations in waterways and drainages and other activities.
They also advised all contractors under its supervision to cease all activities and secure their areas. Private contractors have been advised to do the same and make sure that that construction areas are secured to ensure that their materials do not contribute in choking the drainage system and that their aggregates are not piled on roads and other passageways.
The CDRRMO has asked the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) and Baguio Water District (BWD) to put their personnel be on standby for any emergencies from the tropical cyclone.
The Health Services Office (HSO) said needed supplies have been prepositioned in barangay health centers with medical personnel on standby and that its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are on-call 24 hours.