GOVERNMENT-LED RELIEF CARAVAN ARRIVES IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY — The government‘s relief caravan has arrived in Bicol Thursday (October 29) to preposition relief commodities in the region in preparation for typhoon Santi (Marinae) threatening this area, according to official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here.

Remia Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol regional director, said the relief caravan dubbed “ Sama-samang Pagtulong Relief Caravan” headed to the different provinces of the region in the wake of the weather disturbance predicted to hit by the end of the week.

She elaborated the caravan, consists of 21 truckload of relief food packs and clothing, blankets, bottled water, will be unloaded to identified drop-off points in Bicol including Daet, Camarines Norte; Pili, Camarines Sur; Legazpi City, Albay; Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; and, Catanduanes province via Tabaco City for eventual distribution by their respective local disaster coordinating councils to residents affected by the disaster.

Brought in by the caravan were 59 sleeping mattress, a water tank, water purifier machine, 59 Polyester tanks, 59 blankets, 140 kitchen set, 622 boxes cup noodles and 1,000 packs of Medicine kits, donated by the JICA, Mc Donald, Indonesia and PCSO.

She added the government-led caravan would benefit an estimated 500,000 affected families in Bicol, to also include areas in Region IV-A (Calabarzon)

The relief commodities were drawn from contributions of government agencies, led by DSWD, as well as international relief organizations and civic society.

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council chairman met the caravan and received the relief commodities intended for the province around last night in front of the provincial capitol building in this city.

Salceda on Wednesday has placed the province under alert and monitoring status as the threats of the incoming typhoon and the heightened restiveness of Mt. Mayon have elevated the risks of a “combo disaster” to lives and properties of residents.

He said that this “complex disaster risk” must be met and matched with greater preparedness so as to meet the long standing policy for a “zero casualty” goal of the province during disasters including a pre-emptive evacuation, not rescue disaster management operations.

Disaster authorities here are expected to move out over 400,000 people or 80,000 families in the event two complex disaster occurs, this include the looming Mayon volcano eruption and the incoming typhoon.

Salceda said the province has a total population of 1.2 million and of this 471,254 people living in low lying areas, mountain range, river banks, coastal areas are at risk for floods, lahar flows, landslides this weather disturbance might trigger and villagers living at the foot of Mayon volcano for volcanic eruption.

Cedric Daep, APSEMO chief, said they are working out an action plan to enhance preparedness and evacuation procedures in these areas of concern. (MALoterte, PIA V)


DPWH BEEFS UP PREPARATIONS FOR “UNDAS”

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has intensified its efforts towards the immediate clearing and repair works on damaged flood sections in Bicol region following the declaration of long holidays next month.

“We want to ensure the safety and convenience of the motorists for these holidays particularly for those who will commemorate the All Saints’ Day to their hometowns,” said DPWH Bicol regional director Danilo C. Manalang.

He Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared November 1 and 2 special non-working holidays in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively. November 1 falls on a Sunday and November 2 on a Monday.

November 27, Friday and 28, Saturday were also declared special non-working holidays in observance of Eid’l ADha or the Feast of Sacrifice. Then the following Monday, November 30 is Bonifacio Day, a regular non-working holiday.

According to Manalang, he ordered his District Engineers to prioritize maintenance activities on road sections affected by flash floods due to heavy rainfall for the last few days and those that are prone to landslides.

“We cannot fight the force of nature but we can implement preemptive measures to counter possible destructions on our infrastructure projects,” the director added.

DPWH will also reactivate its Lakbay Alalay Program for the All Saints’ Day to start on October 30, 2009 until November 2,m 2009 wherein Motorist Assistance Centers will be installed in the strategic locations of Bicol region’s national roads. (LVCastañeda, DPWH/PIA)


PASSENGER ASSISTANCE CENTERS IN MAJOR PORTS SET UP FOR “UNDAS”

SORSOGON PROVINCE (October 31) – The Coast Guard Station Sorsogon (CGS) along with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) activated on October 28 until November 4, 2009 the Passenger Assistance Centers (PACs) in ports of Matnog, Pilar and Bulan, the province’s major ports.

“This is in line with the observance of All Saints’ and All Soul’s Day on Nov 1-2, this year, wherein the Department of Transportation and Communication – Philippine Coast Guard (DOTC-PCG) under its eagle-eye program “Oplan Kaluluwa 2009” would like to ensure an orderly, safe, convenient and secured sea travel of sea faring passengers through the major ports in the province,” said PCG Sorsogon Station Commander LtJG Ronnie T. Ong, Jr. in a press statement.

“CGS Sorsogon is working closely with local Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP) and shipping companies to emphasize integrated commitment to security and safety in water transport service by improving and enforcing safety standards and regulations such as inspection of baggage and implementation of security layers in the ports and passenger terminals to prevent hostile elements from perpetrating terrorist acts and likewise, to ensure no overloading of passengers,” Ong stressed out.

The PCG Special Operations Unit and K-9 Unit personnel are also placed on full alert status to implement stringent security in the ports to preclude any safety and security breach as well as protect vessel and the riding public.

Said personnel are likewise placed on standby status for immediate response to any maritime incidents.

K-9 Unit personnel are also tasked to conduct pre-departure inspection to baggage and cargoes for possible entry of illegal contrabands aboard ships.

Ong also explained that the center will have information/assistance and complaint desks where passengers could simply and easily ask for assistance and lodge their complaints related to their sea travel needs.

“Said PACs which are manned by a minimum of six personnel from PCG, PPA, MARINA and volunteers are strategically situated in areas accessible to the passengers. Personnel are detailed on a 24-hour basis with three shifts at four hours per shift daily or as practicable and necessary,” said Ong.

“PAC will also act as facilitators on the requests and complaints of the seafaring public to refer matters on hand to the office and/or shipping/boat operators concerned,” he further said. (RTOng, PCG Sorsogon/PIA Sorsogon)