7 flood-prone IN barangays participate in evacuation drill

(Photo courtesy of SFO1 Marlou C. Colobong)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Solsona, Ilocos Norte—Hundreds of barangay residents living in low lying areas of the province often hit by typhoon were evacuated on Aug. 11 at the civic center of this town.

Using heavy equipment and speed boats, members of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Navy and trained rescue teams from the Ilocos Norte provincial government carried children and senior citizens as they brave the raging floodwaters overflowing from the riverbanks.

This is just one of the scenarios foisted by the provincial government to prepare the province for possible calamities that may befall the province.

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos attended the drill conducted by the Provincial Resiliency Task Force (PRTF).

The civic center used for the drill has been re-equipped with comfort rooms, makeshift living quarters and kitchen utilities. 

Aiming for “zero casualty” during calamities, specifically typhoons, Ms. Marcos reiterated to residents in identified highly-vulnerable areas such as Barangays Catangraran, Nagpatpatan, Sta. Ana and Puttao to be prepared and resilient in times of natural and man-made calamities.

Meanwhile, another evacuation drill was conducted in neighboring Dingras town with barangay residents of San Marcelino, Baresbes and San Francisco participating. Rescue teams likewise brought them to the nearest evacuation center in Dingras town.

In previous years, the PRTF, formerly called as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has assigned clustered barangays mostly affected by typhoon to conduct evacuation drills so that everybody is well informed and ready in emergency situations.

Aside from the clustered barangays of Solsona and Dingras, separate drills will also be conducted in other highly vulnerable areas in Bacarra, Bangui, Burgos, Laoag City, Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Piddig, Sarrat, Vintar, Badoc and Batac City.