Provincial government: Aside from being prepared, pray

During a meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council at the Capitol Social Hall yesterday, in preparation for the arrival of Typhoon “Mangkhut,” locally named “Ompong,” Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head, Dr. Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, said he echoes the call by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., saying, aside from being prepared, Negrenses should pray.

“Let us pray not just for Negros Occidental but also for the people of northern Luzon and Cagayan,” he said.

With regard to preparedness, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office confirmed they have at least 70 sacks of rice, along with food packs with additional canned goods, ready for mobilization. Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Fire Marshal, Fire Superintendent Pamela Rojane Candido, advised all city and municipal fire marshals to coordinate with their respective disaster risk reduction and management councils.

She explained, BFP duties include rain gauge monitoring and ensuring fire-fighting apparatus and equipment are in place./WDJ