CEBU CITY – Police in Central Visayas are on heightened alert to enable them to immediately respond in the aftermath of severe tropical storm “Kristine.”
A CARGO vessel drifted to a shallow portion of the sea in Talisay City, Cebu on Thursday, Oct. 24. The vessel ran aground after its anchors were damaged due to strong waves. (Photo from PCG-7)
Aside from toppled trees and some residents living in coastal areas being evacuated, the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) did not receive reports about major destructions caused by the typhoon.
Still, Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of PRO-7, instructed all police units in the region to remain on full alert.
Station commanders were asked to closely coordinate with local government units, especially
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, to enable them to readily assist if there is a need to evacuate.
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Aberin, said PRO-7 search and rescue teams in every city and municipal police station have been activated.
“We activated our emergency teams to guard evacuations and also to check the situation on the ground,” said Pelare.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Visayas (DSWD-7) is prepared for the possible ill-effects of Kristine.
“We have prepositioned food packs in our warehouses and in 43 local government units in the region,” said DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero.
Their quick response teams are also monitoring their areas of responsibility, added Lucero.
“We are also monitoring ports for locally stranded individuals,” said Lucero.
Food packs have been provided for people stranded in Danao City, northern Cebu.