The alert status, which indicates that all teams are ready for deployment for incidents needing assistance from the province, took effect at 5 p.m. for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Emergency Operations Center, until weather conditions significantly improve.
As part of the province’s disaster preparedness, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the activation of the provincial response clusters.
The camp coordination and camp management and provision of food and non-food items are under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, logistics supervised by the Provincial General Services Office, and search, rescue, and retrieval led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Health concerns are covered by the Provincial Health Office, law and order by the Negros Occidental Police, and clearing and civil works by the Provincial Engineering Office.
Lacson is leaving the decision to the LGUs to initiate preemptive evacuation.
“That’s really the call now of the LGUs. The experience that we have undergone through the years, the local chief executives can make that call,” he added. “We have to continuously keep track of the announcement of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.” (PNA)