Dumaguete braces for Typhoon Pablo
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) -- With the super typhoon Pablo (international name “Bopha) expected to hit Dumaguete City on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, the city disaster risk reduction management council in Dumaguete has now put in motion its pre-disaster measures as it braces for the onslaught of the typhoon.
In an emergency meeting held this morning, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said the city session hall now serves as the command center for disaster operations.
The mayor instructed department heads to prepare the vehicles, communication tools and equipment that will be used during emergency situations.
“All communication equipment must be ready and fully charged in case of power outages. Communication is vital, don’t rely on your cellphones alone,” the mayor told the city government department heads during the meeting.
The city is set to purchase today additional radio sets, battery packs, rain coats and water tank.
The mayor also instructed all key city government officers and employees to be at the command centers starting tomorrow to assist in the disaster operations.
“I expect all key city officials and department personnel to be here," Mayor Sagarbarria said. "I already prepared my family for the typhoon and I will be here tomorrow. So take care of your families now, prepare them and leave them with your spouses because the city needs you tomorrow, for the greater interest of the majority."
The council likewise met with the barangay officials to discuss the utilization of the barangay halls and churches as evacuation centers.
This in view of the schools in the city being used by around 10,000 athletes and coaches from Central Visayas provinces who are in Dumaguete for the ongoing Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA).
The mayor also appealed to residents living near and along coastal areas to start preparing for evacuation. “Don’t wait for tomorrow. If you can evacuate today, go ahead,” he said.
Mayor Sagarbarria gave the assurance that the city is prepared to take care of the 133,000 Dumaguetenos who are likely to be affected by Typhoon Pablo.
“We are definitely better prepared now than during Typhoon Sendong,” he said.
The weather bureau Pagasa reported that typhoon Pablo entered the Philippine area of responsibility at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
It is expected to be at 30 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by tomorrow morning, and at 150 km West of Iloilo City by Wednesday morning. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Despite Super Typhoon Pablo scare, CVRAA pushes through
By Ferliza C. Contratista
DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) --- Despite the looming threat of typhoon Pablo (international codename "Bopha") all sports events scheduled today at the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet pushed through.
Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon said the events went on as scheduled as the weather continues to be sunny.
“We will continue to pray that if ever Pablo comes, it will only 'shade' our athletes,” Dulangon said. However, she also assured that they are closely coordinating with Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental governments for the contingency plans should the weather get any worse.
“I am reminding all coaches and teachers to make the necessary call specially when it comes to the safety of their athletes, it is really their call,” Dulangon said.
She told all city and division superintendents of the safety precautions for a smooth flowing CVRAA meet - from food poisoning, water safety, environment, and personal hygiene.
“And one important thing is to protect the athletes from all forms of sexual harassments, since they are very prone to this. Separate the boys from the girls and even coaches and trainers, “ Dulangon said.
CVRAA 2012 kicked off on Sunday with over 10,000 participants from the four provinces of Central Visayas and cities of Tagbilaran, Bogo, Bayawan, Toledo, Tagbilaran, Talisay, Naga, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Guihulngan and Danao.
There are 5,629 total athletes, with Negros Oriental holding the biggest contingent of 743 athletes.
Second contingent with the most number of athletes is Bohol Province, 414; followed by Cebu City, 412; Cebu Province with 396; and Dumaguete City, 380.
The events to be played out are archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, futsal (indoor football), gymnastics, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, tennis and taekwondo.
There will also be a Special Education (SPED) and cultural competition.
Dumaguete City will also host for the first time the Palarong Pambansa next year.(rmn/FCC/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)