BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has placed Negros Occidental under blue alert to heighten preparedness as Tropical Depression “Ofel”, which could affect the province, approaches.
The governor in an advisory to all Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council chairpersons in the province said they should heighten their preparedness, initiate pro-active measures and take appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods and landslides.
He also reminded them to ensure that waterways are clear and to review contingency plans to mitigate risks in their areas of responsibility. “Let us pray, prepare and be pro-active for a resilient and safer Negros Occidental,” he said.
“Ofel” will move generally north-northwestward today and will make landfall over Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area in the morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported at 5 p.m. yesterday.
By this afternoon, “Ofel” will move northwestward or west-northwestward traversing the southern portion of Southern Luzon, it added.
It will likely remain in the tropical depression category while traversing the southern portion of Southern Luzon. It is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 48 hours once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said.*
