Bohol is ready as it anticipates the possible impact of tropical storm Auring, which is expected to bring inclement weather here today or early Monday morning.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Dr. Anthony Damalerio gave an overview on the preparations of his office and other agencies to address the possible adverse impact of Auring’s arrival in Bohol.
He gave the briefing to the media during the regular virtual press conference at the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.
Damalerio said that local and national government agencies are prepared for any eventuality that may happen as Auring arrives within the Visayas area.
“We are prepared as far as the landfall of the storm is concerned,” Damalerio reported.
Damalerio said that the storm is expected to make a landfall either Sunday evening or early Monday morning. He said that he expects that a storm signal warning will be issued by then.
As of yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) no. 1 is hoisted over Bohol and some parts of the Visayas.
He further stated that the storm will hit the Caraga region anytime today, Sunday and will be in the vicinity of Central and Eastern Visayas by tomorrow, Monday.
As of Friday, Damalerio reported the preparations made by the government agencies in anticipation for the inclement weather resulting from the presence of the storm.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently on red alert status and all 461 BFP personnel in the province are on standby.
The Philippine Red Cross here reported that it already pre-positioned its non-food items and its personnel are ready to respond in the event there would be evacuations.
The power distribution utilities in Bohol—Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 and 2 and Bohol Light Company Inc.—reported that 50 linemen are on standby to respond to any emergency that results to power supply interruption in the northern part of Bohol, Damalerio said.
The northern part of Bohol, according to PAGASA will be the first area in the province that will be impacted by the inclement weather brought by tropical storm Auring, Damalerio mentioned during the press briefing.
All provincial government-owned vehicles are on standby and ready to respond in case of emergencies or road clearing operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has 5,199 food packs on standby as the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) is ready to fill the gaps if needed.
The Telephone and Radio Service Integrated Emergency and Rescue (TaRSIER) l search, rescue and retrieval team, water search and rescue team, and other emergency responders are now deployed to Ubay comprising two (2) teams. One of teams may be re-assigned to the eastern part of Bohol as needed.
Bohol Water Utilities Inc. stated that seven (7) generator sets are on standby to provide power to pumping stations in the event of power outage.
The Department of Health is now on code white where all personnel of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital and the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay are on standby. The Provincial Health Office’s operation center is activated and now on 24-hour operation.