Benguet folk move to safety
PRE-EMPTIVE evacuation is on in Benguet province.
This, after the Office of the Civil Defense-Cordillera on September 14 declared pre-emptive evacuation for flood and landslide prone areas.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairman and
Governor Crescencio Pacalso announced classes in the province in all levels to be suspended on September 14 to 15.
The governor also directed Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils to enforce temporary suspension of small scale mining activities and tourism related activities.
Benguet’s capital town of La Trinidad meanwhile has evacuated 15 families, 65 individuals from Little Kibungan to Puguis Elementary School as of September 13 to pre-empt any untoward incident the super typhoon may cause and avoid a repeat of the same incident caused by Typhoon Pepeng on October 2009.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda added teams are in talks to convince families in flood prone areas in Toyong, Puguis and Barangay Betag to evacuate.
In Itogon, Pacalso said evacuation may also be imposed in Ucab because pf possible landslide and sinking.
As of 8 a.m. of September 14, Binga and Ambuclao Dam have opened its gates at 1.5 meters each.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Baguio City and Benguet is expected to experience 550 millimeters of rainfall today, September 15, during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.
Ompong is expected to bring strong winds, storm surges over coastal areas and heavy to intense rains directly associated with Typhoon on Saturday at Northern Luzon and Central Luzon.
The super typhoon is expected to make landfall in Cagayan, Isabela early morning on Saturday. Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 was raised in Benguet and all provinces of Cordillera based on the 11 a.m. weather forecast on September 14.
Salda meanwhile imposed a municipal wide ban on the serving of liquor and alcoholic beverages effective September 14 to 16 in La Trinidad.
“In order to prevent the loss of life and injury upon our constituents, there is a need to prevent activities that would cause public drunkenness and risky behavior,” stated in the executive order.
Police also urged constituents to be guided of the municipal wide ban on serving liquor and alcoholic beverages from 6 p.m. of September 14 that will lapse until 12 a.m. of September 16.
The mayor added the ban is anchored to prevent drunken persons during the onslaught of rain which is monitored by the police.
“The operation of establishments serving liquor during this period of emergency would also put a strain on the resources of the police force and the municipality which is better used to prepare and respond to the needs of our constituents,” added the order.