Albay under state of calamity due to Kristine

The province of Albay has been placed under a state of calamity due to the impact of Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

The provincial government said on Tuesday that the tropical cyclone has caused continuous rainfall, resulting in flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.

“The declaration of state of calamity will facilitate the mobilization of local resources of respective cities and municipalities and the Provincial Government of Albay to support evacuation and camp management of the affected population,” the local government said in an advisory.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Albay as Kristine maintained its strength, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA's 11 a.m. bulletin.

State meteorologists also warned residents in Albay and seven other provinces to take extra precautions as they may face minimal to moderate chances of a storm surge in the next 48 hours.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday activated the “Charlie” protocol—the highest level of emergency preparedness—in seven regions, including the Bicol Region.

But the OCD explained that being under the highest level of alert protocol is nothing to worry about.

“There’s nothing to worry about; it’s just a graduation of our preparedness to respond. Meaning mas mataas yung level yung protocol, mas marami kaming dapat paghandaan,” said OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas in a press briefing on Tuesday.

(There’s nothing to worry about; it’s just a graduation of our preparedness to respond. This means that the higher the level of protocol, the more you need to prepare.)

“Nakataas lang ito dahil nakikita natin doon sa mga concerned regional offices na ‘yan, mas mataas yung risk, mas marami kaming kailangan bantayan. Dahil mas prone ito sa mga consequences like flooding, like landslides.”

(It was just raised because these concerned regional offices are at high risk, so there are more things needed to prepare and watch out for. These areas are also prone to consequences like flooding and landslides.) — VBL, GMA Integrated News