Catanduanes preps evacuation centers for 5,000 families due to Quinta

The local government of Catanduanes has prepared its evacuation centers and relief goods in anticipation of Tropical Depression Quinta on Saturday.

According to a 24 Oras News Alert, 5,000 families in the municipality of Baras may possibly be affected by the onslaught of the storm.

The Catanduanes government said residents in coastal barangays will be evacuated in case waves become bigger.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over Catanduanes Saturday morning as Quinta slightly accelerated while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said winds of 30 to 60 kph may be expected in Catanduanes in at least 36 hours, or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours.

The Office of Civil Defense in Region 5 said it has already coordinated with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to suspend trips going to Visayas and Mindanao starting Saturday until the lifting of the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal in Sorsogon.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with the RDRRMC Bicol, had also made the following preparations:

• 14,678 family food packs available worth P5,405,664.94
• PhP 3,000,000.00 stand-by funds
• Food items are available such as NFA rice (27,250 kilos) Gold cup sardines (352 tins), Youngstown corned beef (352 tins), SanMIg 3in1coffee (62,227 sachets); Items are for repacking/stockpile.
• Non-food items are available such as 47 sets of tents, 5,494 boxes of sleeping kit, 1,089 boxes of family kit, 1,000 sets hygiene kit, 3,673 kitchen kit, 34,941 pcs. malong, 910 rolls laminated sacks, 1,514 (10 meters) and 21,330 pcs blanket amounting Php 26,420,032.90.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also issued a Red Alert Status and had made the following preparations:

• Close monitoring of AORs
• On Standby for deployment (822 station personnel; 145 EMS; 70 SRU)
• Coordinated with C/MDRRMCs on DILG Operations Listo
• Activated OPLAN PAGHALSA (Paghahanda Laban sa Sakuna)

-MDM, GMA News