The Iloilo City Government has activated its disaster preparedness for Typhoon Yolanda which is expected to enter the country on Thursday and make landfall over Visayas at around noontime on Friday.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will convene Thursday morning to put in place precautionary measures against the storm.
Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said the city disaster team has started making rounds in low-lying areas to advise residents to prepare and initiate preemptive evacuation if the need arises on Friday.
He advised the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Iloilo City to closely monitor the typhoon and make necessary announcements on possible early suspension of classes.
The mayor asked city DepEd to identify and alert school principals to prepare their schools to serve as possible evacuation sites.
Mabilog also ordered barangay captains and police station commanders to be alert, prepare disaster response and rescue teams and coordinate with concerned agencies to determine contingencies and evacuation areas.
Barangay captains of coastal areas including Bito-on, Hinactacan, Banuyao, Ingore, Loboc, Bo. Obrero, Gen. Hughes, Ortiz, Ma. Clara, Rizal Ibarra, Pala-pala I and II, Rizal Estazuela, North Baluarte, South Baluarte, Boulevard, San Juan, Calumpang, Calaparan, Sto. Norte and Sur are instructed to prepare for possible storm surges and giant waves and residents should be evacuated to safer grounds.
Those along the river and tributaries prone to flooding including Brgy. Ungka, Sambag, San Isidro, Tabuc suba, Dungon A and B, Calubihan, Desamparados, Bakhaw, Bolilao, Magsaysay village, Calajunan, Sooc, and Navais are also advised for safety.
The City Engineer’s Office has readied the deployment of big trucks when the situation worsens while the City Social Welfare and Development Office has prepared relief goods for urgent distribution during emergency.
The City Hall Penthouse has been activated as operations center. The public is encouraged to closely monitor latest weather bulletin to keep updated.
