Albay placed on state of heightened alert in the wake of TS Quinta

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 26 (PIA) -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Albay has placed the province under the state of heightened alert and close monitoring in the wake of tropical storm Quinta which may bring increased volume of rainfall and may result to flooding and landslides.

Albay is among the areas where public storm warning signal#1 was hoisted at 5 a.m. weather bulletin of Pagasa on TS Quinta.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said he has already directed member agencies and organizations, as well as the general public, to carry out countermeasures now being implemented to prevent disaster and ensure “zero casualty” in the wake of the prevailing weather system affecting the provincial area.

Salceda said in an advisory that the no-sailing to sea policy is in effect, especially for small transport sea crafts and fishing vessels.

He explained that local governments down to the barangay levels and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), should work closely together along this line to inform and prevent fishermen and travelers from venturing into the sea due to dangers posed by Quinta.

The same advisory directs coastal barangays to monitor and prepare against possible storm surges.

The populace is also advised not to cross swollen rivers and artificial pools of water and to avoid low-lying and coastal areas for possible coastal flooding.

Barangays, especially on the eastern seaboard, should closely monitor rainfall rate and be prepared for countermeasures including evacuation of population residing near steep slopes for landslides and low-lying areas for flash floods, floods and lahar.

City, municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils and barangay committees, according to the same advisory, may utilize the Quick Response Fund, equivalent to 30 percent of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund to support emergency needs of evacuated populations if any.

Meanwhile, signal #1 is also hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Burias Island in Masbate, while signal #2 had been raised over Sorsogon, Masbate, and Ticao Island, also in Masbate. (MAL-PIA5, Albay)