South Cotabato steps up preparation for La Niña

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has stepped up its implementation of intervention measures to prepare local farmers and residents for the possible onslaught the La Niña phenomenon.

Milagros Lorca, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said Monday they were already monitoring vulnerable upland and low-lying areas in the province for the probable occurrence of severe floods and landslides.

She said the province has been experiencing sporadic heavy rains the past days, and such a condition was expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Citing advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), she said the “weak” La Nina was predicted to start this month.

“We’re continually monitoring the situation and we have ongoing engagements to properly prepare our local communities for it,” she said.

Lorca said the local government has a standby preparedness plan for La Nina, which is characterized by unusually heavy rainfall over a period.

The official said they have been closely coordinating with the Municipal and Barangay DRRM Councils for the implementation of preparatory measures.

She said the identified flood and landslide prone areas in the province already have disaster alarm and evacuation systems in place.

These covers communities situated in mountainous areas and those near major rivers and tributaries, she said.