Barangays hailed for disaster response

ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco thanked barangay officials and all those who prepared for the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly (International code: Goni) that left a trail of death and destruction in the country.

She said praised the quick response of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) even before the typhoon Zamboanga.

Climaco had ordered the BDRRMCs to prepare for the typhoon “para administra, responde y mitiga maga peligro que posible causa el avenida, landslide, daño na infrastractura y productos agricultura y otro pa maga peligro por causa de lluvia.”

She also ordered the timely evacuation of residents living near the rivers and seaside and hillside to ensure their safety from the typhoon.

A landslide also occurred in Barangay Limpapa, particularly in Latap-Masalag, and cutting of travel and electricity in the area, according to Climaco. She said Limpapa is now passable and power in the area has been fully restored.

Climaco also thanked all those who helped facilitate in the public works in Limpapa. “Gracias con todo por el esfuerzo y asistencia para el normalisacion del situacion na lugar,” she said.

The mayor also thanked Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) through its District Minister Gavino Mabido for providing 1,000 food packs to indigent families in Barangay Talisayan, one of the areas inundated by the flash floods. She said donation was part of INC's Lingap sa Mamamayan program in celebration of the birthday of INC Executive Minister Eduardo Villanueva Manalo on October 31.

Typhoon Rolly killed over a dozen people in the northern and central Philippines.

Zamboanga was also hit by Typhoon Quinta (International code: Molave) in October which destroyed over P23 million worth on agricultural crops and fishery products, according to the City Agriculturist Office.

It said Quinta inundated nearly 570 hectares of rice and corn fields and fishponds in the districts of Vitali, Ayala and Culianan. The strong tropical cyclone impacted the Philippines and Indochina in late October and killed at least 9 people.

Previous typhoons - Ofel and Pepito - also damaged over P69 millions worth of crops in Zamboanga.

Climaco again called on barangay officials and residents to prepare for another typhoon, Siony (International code: Atsani). She reminded residents, especially those who live near foothills, seaside and riverbanks, including in low-lying barangays, to take extra precautions after weather experts predicted more tropical cyclones to enter the country before the year ends.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said more tropical cyclones enter the so-called “Philippine Area of Responsibility” or PAR than anywhere else in the world. 

With an average of 20 cyclones entering PAR every year, it said about 8 or 9 cross the country and that the peak of the typhoon season is July through October, when nearly 70% of all typhoons develop.

Climaco told the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to always be on alert and to quickly respond to emergencies, and for barangay officials to monitor the situation in their respective areas and to take appropriate actions if the situation calls for it. 

Climaco said PAGASA also warned of La Niña which can bring more rains in comings months. Citing a report by PAGASA, she said the country may experience higher chance of strong convective activity and tropical cyclone occurrence which may bring above normal rainfall. “Potential adverse impacts also include floods and landslide over vulnerable areas with varying magnitude,” she said, quoting the weather bureau. (Zamboanga Post)

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