Lingayen – A Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) in preparation for Typhoon “Ferdie” was conducted by the Pangasinan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) last September 13 at the PDRRMC Headquarters.
PDRRMC made the assessment as part of the standard operation procedure under Code Blue alert, the second highest state of alert as of 9:00 a.m. of the same day.
This move by local disaster response officials signals readiness and preparation of the council’s 44 member agencies by executing mitigating measures such as clustering and prepositioning disaster assets, coordination of evacuation areas and stockpiling of relief goods.
Col. Fernando De Guzman, PDRRMC warning and operation head, presided over the meeting in lieu of PDRRMC executive officer Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar.
He said that through holding PDRA, the council can perform an inventory its manpower, equipment and vehicles it would use and deploy even before the adverse effect of the typhoon reaches Pangasinan.
“As we conducted PDRA, we have found Pangasinan to be well prepared for the adverse effect of the typhoon,” De Guzman said.
Based on the forecasted made as of Sept. 14 at 12;30 p.m. by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomic Services Administration, Typhoon Ferdie has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, moving towards Southwestern China, failing to make a landfall in the country.
During the assessment, PDRRMC reported that the typhoon, however, can bring about monsoon rains that could trigger flooding in the western and central sections of Pangasinan, especially along the Agno River basin.
As of 8:30 a.m. today, PDRRC through Col. Rhodyn Luchinvar has reverted the status to Code White alert while maintaining the Emergency Operations Center’s 24-hour standby monitoring.
Recently, PDRRMC sent rescuers to a Basic Life Support Training of Trainers in San Juan City, Metro Manila last August 31 and held a Water Search and Rescue & Water Boat Operation and Maintenance training in Burgos town last August 31-September 2.
Last August 22-27, it hosted a Rapid Earthquake Disaster Assessment Software training by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology at the President’s Hotel here.
These activities were mounted by the council to further its continuing effort to enhance its disaster response and services.