Fernando gives out directives to prepare for Super TY Karding
CITY OF MALOLOS –Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, chairman of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), gave his directives during the online emergency meeting with the city/municipal DRRMOs, department heads and other concerned agencies this afternoon as he oversees the province before the landfall of Super Typhoon ‘Karding’.
As of 11:00 AM, the eastern and central portions of Bulacan is under tropical cyclone signal no. 5 including the towns of Doña Remedios Trinidad and Norzagaray, while the rest of the province is under signal no. 4.
In his directives, Fernando ordered the suspension of classes in both public and private schools in all levels and suspension of work in non-health and non-DRRM government agencies to the secure safety of Bulakenyos.
“Ihahanda po natin ang executive order regarding sa suspension of classes tomorrow. Maghanda na rin ng pagsususpindi sa ating mga tanggapan at mga munisipyo; ‘yung mga private companies, depende po sa kanila ‘yan pero pag nakita natin na ang sitwasyon ay malala, kasama na rin sila sa suspension,” the governor announced.
He also called on the city/municipal disaster offices to evacuate residents in low-lying areas and made sure that the rescue teams are well available during emergencies.
“Tinawagan na natin kanina ang ating engineering office na ihanda lahat ang ating drivers, ang mga rescue truck na ating gagamitin sa paglilikas. Doon po sa mababang lugar like Hagonoy, Calumpit, Malolos, sa mga lugar na binabaha, inaatasan po natin ang ating mga munisipyo at city disaster offices na maghanda na agad at gawin na natin ang mga dapat ihanda. Mas maganda po ‘yung preventive. We need to protect our kapwa Bulakenyos most especially doon sa lugar na binabaha,” Fernando said.
He also instructed Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Head Rowena J. Tiongson to activate the Evacuation Center Management Team and prepare the evacuation centers including the basic necessities and foods at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium and Bulacan Sports Complex along with the evacuation centers in each community.
The PDRRMC Chairman also called out on Provincial Agriculture Head Gloria Carrillo to notify the farmers and fisher folks so that they can do all the necessary preparations before the landfall of Super TY Karding, especially that there are 40,000 hectares of planted rice land and 1,000 hectares of vegetable area at present and 15,000 hectares of fishery area.
“Sabihan na ‘yung mga mangingisda na palakasin ang mga bakod nila doon. Ang laki din po pala ng may mga tanim natin ngayon kaya sana ‘wag itong mawawala dahil malaki-laki po ang mawawala sa ating mga magsasaka. Tignan mabuti kung ano pa ang mga paghahandang magagawa,” Fernando instructed.
Bulakenyos are also being reminded of the possible hazards that may bring danger including dam release which will affect the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliwag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Hagonoy and Paombong; back flooding in the towns of Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong and Pulilan; flash floods in the towns of Santa Maria, Bocaue, Marilao, Obando, Bulakan, Balagtas, San Miguel, San Ildefonso and Cities of San Jose Del Monte and Meycauayan; storm surge in towns of Bulakan, Hagonoy, Obando, Paombong and City of Malolos. According to PDRRMO Head Felicisima Mungcal, the super typhoon is located at 175 km East of Infanta, Quezon (15.0°N, 123.3°E) with 195 km/h maximum sustained winds near the center and gustiness of up to 240 km/h and central pressure of 920 hPa which puts the province at high risk under the emergency preparedness and response protocol ‘Charlie’ that requires immediate actions. ###