NAVFORSOL, OCD BICOL PREPARE FOR TYPHOON "JUAN"

LEGAZPI CITY – Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) is taking an active stance in preparation to respond to Typhoon Juan (with international name, “Megi”), according to top official of the Navy headquarters here.

Navforsol Commanding Officer Commodore Joel Babas said that though it’s far from the AOR of NAVFORSOL, All of its three Disaster Response and Rescue teams and equipment were prepared and on standby status, ready for rapid deployment. All reservists across Bicol region was informed to prepare in case that a worst scenario happened.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted that the typhoon will landfall on Monday afternoon on October 18, 2010at the Eastern Coast of Cagayan-Isabela.

Corollary to this, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol has alerted all concerned agencies with disaster response capability to make preparations on the advent of Tropical Storm Juan. Navforsol and other AFP units in the area join hands with the other members of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council to take steps to prepare for emergencies before they happen.

Recently, the command received from Navy headquarters an additional DRRU Trailer complete with equipments. It was prepositioned at Infanta, Quezon to boost its Disaster Response and Rescue Team capabilities. Apart from enhancing equipage, Navforsol also conducts regular trainings, seminars, and other forum for its DRRU personnel, reservists and civilian volunteers from disaster prone communities.

Later last month, the Navy in coordination with OCD Bicol, government agencies, LGU’s, and media other non-government institution led an Inter-Agency Search and Rescue at sea capability demonstration of all maritime agencies in the region to have an interoperability and cooperation among agencies sea mishaps and disaster at sea. (DPRamon, Navforsol/PIA/mal)