The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in Negros Oriental has approved the request to release the calamity fund in preparation for tropical storm “Pablo”.

Thirty percent of the funds, about P200,138, will be used for the purchase of food and medicine to be distributed to evacuees and those to be affected by the typhoon; and the remaining 70 percent to buy gasoline for transportation, heavy equipment and other expenses during the calamity.

The meeting was presided over by Provincial Administrator Arnel Francisco in behalf of Gov. Roel Degamo, who was in Mabinay, and who has ordered the department heads of accounting, budget and treasurer's to ensure the availability of funds before “Pablo” hits the province.

Provincial Engineer's Office head, Franco Alpuerto, said all heavy equipment are located in areas where landslides might occur.

The Department of Education in Negros Oriental, meanwhile, said public schools must be ready for “Pablo”, and ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

DepEd-NegOr Division superintendent, Salutiano Jimenez, said that no student should be allowed to go out of the classroom during a downpour, and for principals and teachers to wait for proper instructions.

He added that director Carmelita Dulangon of the DepEd Region 7 is in Dumaguete City to assess the situation and decide if the ongoing Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet will be cancelled, or not.

Silliman University, on the other hand, automatically suspended classes on all school levels when Negros Oriental was placed under storm signal no. 2 by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration yesterday.*MA/JG

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