LEGAZPI CITY (PIA)— In anticipation of the influx of residents and tourists coming to the province for the Lenten break, the Camarines Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has raised the Red Alert Status throughout the province. This is to ensure the safety of motorists, travelers, and tourists during the observance of the Lenten Season and long weekend vacation.

Camarines Sur Governor Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte issued the said memorandum on March 28, directing all Local Chief Executives, MDRRMCs, Punong Barangays, BDRRMC Chairpersons, and all PDRRMC response agencies to activate a 24/7 Operation Center beginning today, April 2, until Tuesday, April 10. 

Local authorities were also directed to keep a close eye on points of convergence, such as churches, seaports, resorts, terminals, shopping malls, tourists zones, and similar locations.

In response to the said directive, majority of LGUs have already established their respective assistance centers to guarantee that contingency measures are in place in the event of an unforeseen incident.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Fernando dispatched MDRRMC members to various motorist assistance centers within their jurisdiction. Personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will assist them to ensure safety of the motorists. 

Motorist Assistance Desks in various LGUs

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Nabua has established a 24-hour Motorist Assistance Desk (MAD 1) located along Maharlika Highway, in front of Holy Cross Parish. Additionally, a similar desk was stationed near the Nabua-Balatan road crossing, which leads to Bula, near the Peninoy Gasoline Station.

These assistance desks are designed to provide aid to motorists and travelers, including emergency assistance, directions, and other forms of support.

MDRRMO Tigaon set up a Motorist Assistance Center (MAS) situated in front of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) District in Tigaon Poblacion.

The LGU of Tinambac also established a motorist assistance booth in Zone 1 of Barangay Binalay to aid and provide support to motorists.

As of press time, several Local Government Units (LGUs) have set up their respective Motorist Assistance Desks and command posts throughout the province with the assistance of various Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs). These include the following: LGU Libmanan (Lakbay Alalay – located along the national highway; Presentacion- situated along the national road at Sta. Maria, Presentacion; Sagñay- established in Brgy. San Isidro, Sagñay, in front of St. Andrew Parish; Ragay- manned by Ragay MPS and PSO near Andaya's Park; and Caramoan- located in Brgy. Tawog, in front of the Police Station, with a sub-post stationed at the public market outside of St. Michael Parish Church and K-Servico.

LGU San Jose has also set up a command post in front of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph; Bato- Brgy. San miguel, Crossing Bato; Siruma- Brgy. La Purisima; and Lupi in front of Matampower Gasoline Station along Andaya Highway, Brgy. Cabutagan.

MDRRMO Milaor also activated its EOC today April 2, and SUMVAC 2023 is composed of PNP, BFP, Kabalikat 276, Guardians Aguila, Task Force Ordinance and MDRRMO personnel.  MDRRMO Minalabac, along with EMS and First Aid team, PNP, BFP, Kabalikat Civicom, and brgy. tanods also established MOC along the San Juan - San Lorenzo highway.  

Aside from Semana Santa, LGU Pasacao is also preparing for an influx of tourists, both foreign and local, as the summer season will undoubtedly make its magnificent beaches more appealing. MDRRMO Pasacao has set up a 24/7 Operations Center and Tourist Assistance Monitoring Center (TAMC), deployment of personnel from MDRRMC response clusters, and posting of hotlines in all resorts and other public places.

MDRRMO Baao also deployed a Motorist Assistance team at La Medalla, Baao, in front of the Water District, with PNP, BFP, and MDRRMO personnel. Tourist assistance teams were also deployed, from 5 AM to 8 PM at Tinawagan Hills, Brgy. Lourdes.

Aside from their 24/7 EOC, CDRRMO Iriga has deployed a Standby medical team from the CDRRM Office, Kabalikat PNP, BFP, KB 143, KB 502, KB 167, and UKC 51M have been deployed to respective Motorist assistant booths located in front of PNP headquarters, LCC Mall and Gaisano Mall.

LGUs Calabanga, Garchitorena, Buhi, and Gainza also issued a localized memorandum alongside the governor’s memo on red alert and activated their respective EOCs.  

To comply with the Memorandum issued by Governor Villafuerte in observance of Semana Santa 2023, various Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) or command posts have been staffed with personnel to assist motorists. These motorist assistance centers or desks were set up to help and support passengers and motorists.

Radio Communication Groups

The Telecommunications Cluster of PDRRMC was also established to coordinate and monitor all Semana Santa 2023-related activities. Kabalikat Bikol, Inc. Regional Governor Doroteo Irvin C. Ayo stated that approximately 500 members will be deployed throughout the region, with 250 of them stationed in Camarines Sur. They also built a Motorist Assistance Center along the National Highway in Camarines Sur, from Del Gallego to Bato

Ramil Sirios of united Kabalikat Civicom (UKC) said they placed their SumVAc stations in Baao, Iriga & Nabua.

Kabalikat Communication Group Kabalikat Civicom-30 Naga City President Bong Villacruz stated their group will also assist pilgrims and Hinulid devotees who will have their penitential walk, particularly on Holy Wednesday, April 5.

“It’s a tradition for Hinulid devotees to visit Jesus’ image in Calabanga so we will preposition our tam along Liboton corner and Bagumbayan Sur near the Southstar Drug store. On April 7, we will assist those who will join the procession,” Villacruz added.

Villacruz said that more or less 30 to 50 personnel will assist 3 KB stations during the duration of Semana Santa.   

PDRRMC will continue to have close coordination with concerned agencies such as PNP, BFP, PCG, DPWH, and other response, security and safety authorities, continuous monitoring and coordination with C/MDRRMOs regarding situations in their respective area of responsibility (AOR).

PDRRMC Secretariat Releasing Officer and Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) Chief Luzena N. Bermeo assured that all response teams and resources are on standby at the Emergency Operations Center and are ready for deployment.

PDRRMC also conducted road monitoring and established a Motorist Assistance Center with standby standard first aid service by FMAG R5. (PIA 5/ Camarines Sur)

Cover photo credits: EDMERO/PDRRMC CamSur/BFP