DAILY STAR: Negros Oriental

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.

Dumaguete finalizes contingency
measures against ‘super typhoon'
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

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.

Forced evacuation
eyed in Valencia
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

Mayor Enrique Gonzalez of Valencia, Negros Oriental, yesterday said his town will conduct a forced evacuation of residents in hazard-prone areas today as a pre-emptive measure against “Pablo”.

Gonzalez said the decision was made in a meeting with barangay captains in anticipation of heavy rains that could cause flashfloods and landslides in the town.

Valencia was among the hardest hit by tropical depression “Sendong” on December 17, 2011, and has not yet fully recovered from the raging flood that claimed several lives, displaced hundreds of families and destroyed properties and government infrastructure projects in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country.

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