Following the announcement of authorities on the impending opening of spillway gates of the San Roque and Magat Dams due to the incessant rains brought about by Tropical Storm (TS) Kristine, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reminded citizens to prepare and follow instructions of their local chief executives.
“We urge residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas residing near Magat and San Roque Dams to stay alert and follow the instructions of their local chief executives to ensure their safety once the spillway gates release water from the dams. Our DSWD Field Office-1 (Ilocos Region) is ready to assist the families that will evacuate,” Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency’s spokesperson, said on Wednesday (October 23).
The DSWD spokesperson also reported that clients of the agency’s centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) in Region 1, specifically the Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC 1), The Haven – Regional Center for Children (TH-RCC), and the Haven for Women (HFW) were already briefed by center staff on the evacuation plans and safety guidelines for their pre-emptive evacuation, in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Dagupan City in Pangasinan.
The clients also prepared their ‘Go Bags’ with essentials like clothing, food, water, medicines, and flashlights as part of the preparedness plan.
The AVRC 1 clients are set to evacuate to the Disability Resource and Development Center, while clients from TH-RCC and HFW will move to the second floor of the center’s building.
“The DSWD will continue to ensure that all its clients in CRCFs are safe from harm from the effects of TS Kristine,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
