Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria placed on red alert the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to be able to respond to any disasters arising from Tropical Storm Ramon that is expected to hit parts of Central Visayas, including Negros, today.

In an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon, the DRRMC, headed by Randy Saldua, reviewed rescue and other equipment necessary, and placed its search-and-rescue team and all available vehicles and transportation on standby-alert in the event of evacuation.

Barangay officials have been warned to help disseminate information and updates on “Ramon”, while the city government called on those residing along the banks of the Banica River and coastal villages to take pre-emptive measures such as early evacuation.

The city government is also re-instating a previous memorandum of agreement with the National Food Authority, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, for the immediate release of rice for distribution when the need arises.

Evacuation centers have also been identified for residents who may have to flee their homes in case of flashfloods and storms.

Meanwhile, the Southern Negros Geothermal Production of the Energy Development Corporation in Valencia town that hosts the Palinpinon geothermal power plants reported minimal level of rainfall late yesterday.

Rainfall readings from their rain gauges showed that from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. yesterday, the maximum reading was at 10 millimeters. Spillways in Valencia, including the “killer Buayahan” spillway, leading to the geothermal power plants have not overflowed, a report from EDC-SNGP said.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Island.

Areas that have been declared under Storm Signal No. 1 are Masbate, Ticao Island, Romblon, Sorsogon, Northern Leyte,  Biliran Island, Bohol, Cebu, Northern Negros, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Panay Island, Guimaras Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin Island.*JFP

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