MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The province of La Union has activated its emergency operation center, deployed teams, and readied transport vehicle assets and stockpiles of food and non-food items for the possible effects of Typhoon Carina.
In a statement on Tuesday, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Warning and Dispatch Unit chief Michael Angelo Dy Yaco said they have raised the alert status to red since July 21, requesting all personnel to be on standby for possible mobilization, and all equipment have been checked and ready for deployment.
He said there are four teams each for Emergency Medical Services; Search, Rescue, and Retrieval; Surveillance; 911 Emergency Telecommunications; and the Incident Management Team.
The province’s transport assets are composed of an advanced life support and two basic life support ambulances, three high-lift off-road rescue vehicles, rescue truck, service vehicle, two small watercraft (jetski), and rubber boat.
There are also dump trucks, cargo trucks, motor grader, wheel loader, service vehicles, and buses among others that are available in case these will be needed.
Food items such as rice, sardines, canned meat, and coffee, and non-food items such as family kits, personal hygiene kits, shelter repair kits, blankets, as well as medicines among others were also prepared, Yaco said.
The provincial government suspended work in government offices starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday due to bad weather but frontline and emergency personnel will remain on duty to render emergency response services.
Work suspension for the private offices was left to the discretion of their respective heads of offices.
In Bangar, the municipality temporarily prohibited the fisherfolk and sailors from venturing into the sea.
Meanwhile, San Juan municipality announced the temporary closure of the San Juan beach to the public for safety concerns while San Gabriel town also indefinitely closed Tangadan Falls and all tourist spots in the area.
Immuki Island in Balaoan town is also temporarily closed to the public while all fishing and sailing activities are also prohibited during this time with the expected effects of the typhoon.
There are no reports yet of floods or evacuation in the province to date.
As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Carina is estimated at around 320 kilometers east of Basco. Batanes, with maximum sustained wind of 140 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of 170 km/h.
It brings heavy rainfall as it enhances the southwest monsoon. (PNA)
