Surigao del Norte on high alert due to ‘Ompong’
BUTUAN CITY – Even if typhoon "Ompong" will not directly hit Northeastern Mindanao, the provincial government in the Pacific Ocean-facing province of Surigao del Norte is not taking any chances.
Governor Sol F. Matugas on Thursday ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in both government and public.
“Heads from different colleges/ university shall send request to exempt them from this order by requiring them to attach assurance of safety of students,” said the Governor’s message sent to The Manila Bulletin.
As early as Tuesday, the provincial chief executive already ordered the suspension of classes from pre-school to elementary levels as heavy downpour occurred on that day.
“We are not taking any chances and everybody must be in their designated post,” Matugas said, citing all the officers and command center personnel in different Disaster Risk Reduction and management Councils (DRRMCs) spread all over the province.
The province’s DRRMC officials and heads of relevant departments already conducted pre-disaster conference on Tuesday and reviewed rescue and protocols on flood-prone and landslide areas, food stocks and other innovative actions where heavy downpours can cause water levels from creeks to swell due to typhoon “Ompong”.
The Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime and DRRMCs in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte already barred the sailing of sea craft and passenger motor bancas in island towns and barangays.
“Disaster preparedness has been our priority and for the local governments here,” added Gov. Matugas, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin late Thursday afternoon. (Mike U. Crismundo)