By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) will be on “blue alert” status from April 5 to 10 for Holy Week.

In an order signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, he advised other city and municipal DRRMOs in the province to heighten their alert status and intensify road safety measures during the period.

Lacson also ordered deployment of responders and resources to different churches and beach resorts.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Bacolod City Police Office will assign their personnel to churches, terminals and beach resorts.

They have also instructed the police chiefs to install help desks in their respective areas of operation.

The Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have also been placed on heightened alert status.

The PCG has strengthened their monitoring of the province’s seaports and have issued warnings against colorum boats ferrying travelers to neighboring islands or conducting unauthorized leisure cruises.

They have also checked the various beach resorts in the province to make sure that they have certified lifeguards./DGB, WDJ