The Bicol region is gearing up for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Man-yi, soon to be named ‘Pepito’ upon entering the Philippine area of responsibility. The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Bicol (RDRRMC-5) has been actively preparing, maintaining a red alert status at its emergency operation centers as announced in a recent meeting on November 14, 2024.
Claudio Yucot, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-5) Director and chairperson of Bicol RDRRMC, emphasized the readiness of various response clusters led by national government agencies. These include the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development for managing food, non-food items, and evacuation centers, the Department of Information and Communications Technology for emergency communications, the Police Regional Office-5 for maintaining law and order, and Joint Task Force Bicolandia for search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
Additional agencies involved are the Department of Public Works and Highways for clearing debris, the Department of the Interior and Local Government for handling cases of the deceased and missing, the Philippine Information Agency for strategic communication, and OCD for logistics and early recovery efforts. Yucot has mandated these clusters to provide regular updates to the RDRRMC emergency operation center twice daily, ensuring continuous monitoring and data collection.
In response to the impending storm, Yucot has directed all response teams to be on standby and ready for deployment. He has also urged provincial and city DRRMCs to activate their contingency plans and prepare evacuation centers and resources, particularly for residents in areas prone to flooding, landslides, and lahar.
In preparation, the provincial governments of Albay, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon have suspended classes on Friday to allow residents time to prepare. Albay’s Acting Governor Glenda Ong Bongao has also suspended work in government offices on November 15, with exceptions for agencies involved in public safety, disaster risk reduction, health, and related services. Private institutions such as banks, grocery stores, and drug stores are also exempt from the work suspension.
Bongao has advised the public to prepare and avoid unnecessary travel, suspending all mass gatherings, outdoor activities, and educational tours. Similarly, Catanduanes and Sorsogon have suspended classes at all levels across their towns and cities. Governor Joseph Cua of Catanduanes has ordered local governments to clear waterways and manage potential hazards like falling trees to mitigate risks.
The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) is also on high alert, with Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon announcing heightened readiness and the activation of various response units. PRO-5 is coordinating closely with local governments and disaster risk reduction offices to enhance preparedness and ensure effective disaster response. Specialized teams such as the Reactionary Standby Support Force, Search, Rescue, and Retrieval team, and the Quick Response Team are ready for immediate deployment to support relief and rescue operations.
Dizon has called on the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with authorities, and adhere to safety guidelines as Tropical Cyclone Man-yi, or ‘Pepito,’ approaches, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to safeguard lives and maintain order during this critical time.