NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines โ The provincial government of Negros Occidental placed the province under red alert status on Wednesday, putting all disaster response teams on standby as Tropical Depression Basyang threatens parts of the Visayas.
The red alert status took effect at 5 p.m. for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Emergency Operations Center.
It will remain in place until weather conditions significantly improve. The alert level means all response units are ready for immediate deployment in case of emergencies.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the activation of provincial response clusters as part of heightened disaster preparedness. Camp coordination and camp management, including the provision of food and non-food items, are being handled by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
The Provincial General Services Office is overseeing logistics, while search, rescue, and retrieval operations are being led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Health-related concerns are under the supervision of the Provincial Health Office, while the Negros Occidental Police are tasked with maintaining law and order. Clearing operations and civil works are being handled by the Provincial Engineering Office.
In an interview, Lacson said the decision to carry out preemptive evacuations rests with local government units (LGUs), noting that local chief executives are in the best position to assess conditions on the ground.
โThatโs really the call now of the LGUs. Based on our experience over the years, local chief executives can make that decision,โ Lacson said. He added that authorities are closely monitoring weather bulletins from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Provincial officials urged residents, especially those in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain alert and follow advisories from local authorities as Basyang continues to affect weather conditions in the region.
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