Gorio lashes Baguio, Benguet
VILLAGE heads in both Baguio and La Trinidad are hoping their areas will be left unscathed by the wrath of monsoon rains brought by tropical storm Gorio.
Councilor Michael Lawana, who is also the president of the Association of Barangay Council of Baguio said there has been no major incidents reported in the 128 villages in the city after two days of monsoon rains enhanced the habagat with the onslaught of the severe tropical storm.
Lawana said there are no reports of further damage to date in South Drive and Gibraltar area despite the ongoing construction of high rise buildings which
have compromised the stability of the roads.
The village chief said the City Camp area where the lagoon is situated has not reported causes for alarm as of Friday afternoon and added the different barangay captains are closely monitoring their areas.
La Trinidad ABC chief Teddy Quintos likewise said after a meeting with the 16 barangays in the valley Friday morning, no evacuation of residents or landslides were reported.
Quintos said an evacuation plan as well as rescue teams are in place in the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Municipal Councils in case of emergencies.
In the region, several local government units especially in the province of Benguet suspended classes from pre-school to high school level both in public and private.
Classes in pre-school to elementary were suspended in Baguio City, in Benguet La Trinidad, Bakun, Kabayan, Brgy Madaymen in Kibungan, and San Isidro, Abra while classes in pre-school to secondary were ordered to halt in Tublay, Atok, Mankayan and Bokod, all in Benguet and in Licuan Baay in Abra, while all classes in all levels were suspended in Kapangan.
Activities in all small to big scale mining firms were advised to take serious precautionary measures due to the storm.
Baguio, Mountain Province and Kalinga are in blue alert status according to the Office of Civil Defense.
Motorists are advised to take extra care while plying the roads with closed roads networks include the TabukBanaue (Dumanay Section, Tanudan) due to clearing operations and the Junction Talubin-Barlig Natonin-Paracelis Calaccad Road due to rehabilitation of eroded approach at Balabag Temporary Bridge, Talubin Side.
The OCD said the incessant monsoon is expected to trigger flashfloods and landslides is expected over Baguio city, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. province, lfugao, Apayao, and Abra with moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over Baguio city, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. province, lfugao, Apayao, and Abra.