By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) yesterday told local government units (LGUs) to remain on guard against COVID-19 as hundreds of individuals are expected to take shelter in evacuation centers to escape the wrath of Typhoon “Odette.”
According to PDMPD head Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, whichever comes first, a red alert status will be hoisted over Negros Occidental once the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declares the province under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1 or if Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson decides to raise the alert sooner.
Caelian said LGUs were told to still follow the minimum health protocols among the evacuees.
The evacuees, meanwhile, were advised to bring their vaccination cards once they flee to the shelters, while LGUs will be required to establish screening and triage areas.
Temperature checks will be conducted upon entry to the evacuation centers, and if an evacuee exhibits high temperature due to fever, he or she will immediately be isolated from the rest of the evacuees.
To fully enforce strict physical distancing, barriers will be put in place in the shelters and regular sanitations will be conducted.
Caelian said based on PAGASA’s current track, the storm may likely exit the province in the town of Cauayan, although he noted that “Odette’s” rain and wind bands would cover the entire province.
“The diameter is not yet determined, but if you look at the satellite imagery, ang bagyo will likely enter somewhere in northern Mindanao via the Dinagat island, then if track does not change it will continue on towards Bohol and Cebu before hitting Negros,” Caelian said.
The PDMPD head also remains hopeful that the storm will either weaken or change course further south prior to hitting Negros.
Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz urged Negrenses to pray that the storm spare not just Negros Occidental, but the neighboring provinces as well.
As of posting, “Odette” is currently classified as a severe tropical storm, although it is forecasted to become a typhoon./DGB, WDJ