By Diann Calucin
Caloocan City Mayor Dale "Along" Malapitan assured the preparedness of the city government for the onslaught of severe tropical storm “Paeng”.
"Handa po ang iba't ibang tanggapan ng pamahalaang lungsod sa anumang posibilidad ng sakunang hatid ng bagyong Paeng (Our city offices are ready for any disaster that may be brought by typhoon Paeng)," Malapitan said in a Facebook post on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Caloocan Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) raised the "red alert" status in the city.
The mayor said CDRRMO constantly monitors the flood situation in every barangay in Caloocan.
He said the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) also provided evacuation tents for residents living in low-lying areas.
Members of Caloocan City Environmental Management Department (CEMD) and Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) conducted trimming operations of trees and responded to the residents' complaints about obstructions along city roads.
"Asahan niyo pong nakatutok ang pamahalaan upang tulungang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat Batang Kankaloo (Our city government is focused on ensuring the safety of every Caloocan resident)," Malapitan said.
Malapitan also reminded the residents visiting the cemeteries of the strict implementation of health protocols including temperature checking and presentation of vaccine cards before entering the premises.
Col. Ruben Lacuesta, Caloocan police chief, led the manning and patrol in city's public cemeteries.
The city government earlier released an advisory suspending vaccination drives in the city after the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG ASA) declared Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 and raised "heavy" rainfall warning in Metro Manila.
The city government also advised the residents to save water for an anticipated emergency water service interruption.