Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria yesterday directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to immediately mobilize disaster response teams and relief goods, in preparation for tropical depression “Pablo” (international code name Bopha) that entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday.

Sagarbarria convened the CDRRMC to review and finalize contingency measures in case the super typhoon hits Dumaguete.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City are under storm signal number 2, with Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, southern Cebu, and Siquijor.

“Pablo” is expected to cross southern Cebu this afternoon, and Dumaguete City is expected to be directly affected.

Sagarbarria has ordered the establishment of the command center at City Hall, where all equipment and logistics of the City Disaster Management Office will be located.

Government-owned vehicles and heavy equipment of the City Engineer's Office have been mobilized and situated at the quadrangle in front of City Hall for easy access.

Food stuff and relief goods have also been prepared by the City Social Welfare Office, and medicines and the medical staff of the City Health Office are on standby.

City and barangay officials have appealed to residents in coastal areas and along the river banks to evacuate at the earliest time possible and not wait after the river water level has risen, or in case of a storm surge at sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard station in Dumaguete also cancelled sea travel to and from the city port due to rough seas.*JFP

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