NDRRMC to LGUs: Don’t take low pressure area lightly

MANILA, Philippines – While there’s only a slim chance that the low pressure area (LPA) east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte would develop into a tropical depression, the country’s disaster managers are not taking any chances.

“Everyone might fall into a sense of security,” said Undersecretary Alexander Pama, Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), on Saturday, June 25.

Pama was speaking at a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting at the NDRRMC Operations Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He warned that the lack of storm signals does not necessarily mean that a weather disturbance is not dangerous.

Be aware of hazards

Local government units (LGUs) were advised to convene their respective disaster councils and do their own risk assessments, in accordance with Oplan Listo, the interior department’s disaster preparedness manual.

Under Republic Act 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the Local Government Code, LGUs take the lead in preparing for and responding to disasters.

The NDRRMC also told LGUs to be on alert for possible floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall.

Emphasis was given on the following LGUs, which had close to 100 millimeters of rain within a 24- to 72-hour period:

• Coron, Palawan
• San Jose, Palawan
• Borongan, Eastern Samar
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar
• Surigao
• Butuan, Agusan del Norte
• Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

State weather bureau PAGASA also said rains would persist across the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as Mimaropa in Luzon. – Rappler.com