PREPARED. Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol regional director and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairperson, says on Monday (Aug. 22, 2022) they have placed all disaster response offices on red alert to prepare for the possible onslaught of Tropical Storm Florita. Classes in public and private schools at all levels were suspended in the province of Albay; Juban town in Sorsogon; and Sangay town in Camarines Sur; as heavy rains fell across the region. (Screengrab by Connie Calipay) LEGAZPI CITY - Several local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol Region have suspended classes in all levels as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Emergency Operations Center in Bicol has placed all disaster response offices on red alert effective immediately to prepare for the possible onslaught of Tropical Storm (TS) Florita. During an emergency meeting joined by local media on Monday, Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol reg
The Office of Civil Defense-Bicol(Photo courtesy of Thea Omelan/OCD-Bicol) LEGAZPI CITY - The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol has placed all disaster response offices on red alert effective immediately to prepare for the possible onslaught of Tropical Storm (TS) Odette. In a memorandum issued on Tuesday, Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol regional director and Bicol DRRMC chairperson, said the raising of alert status from blue to red is necessary due to the uncertainty of the movement, track, and intensification of the weather disturbance, and to heighten appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods, or landslides. "Closely monitor the developments of 'Odette' and evaluate the need for evacuation for high-risk areas and barangays. Evacuation for high-risk areas and barangays shall be led by the local DRRMCs based on the results of their PDRAs (pre-disaster risk assessments) on or before Dec.