PIA Press Release
Monday, January 02, 2012 PCG assures NorMin residents of high state of preparedness for gale warningsby Rutchie Cabahaug-AguhobOZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 2(PIA) – The Philippine Coast Guard, District of Northern Mindanao (PCGDNM), has directed all its detachment commanders to take more proactive measures before the onset or during severe weather conditions. This was explained by Commodore Elson Hermogino, PCGDNM Commander, who said one of these measures include forewarning, notifying or recalling fishermen to return to base after a gale warning has been issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration (PAGASA). “The PCGDNM is doing this, to ensure a high state of preparedness in its respective stations, detachments, operational units and disaster response assets,” Hermogino said. He said the PCG detachments are always reminded to make sure that their stations, promptly initiate and encourage public information dissemination through the use of tri-media and the local government units (LGU’s) to warn the coastal residents and local fishermen. To prevent untoward incidents, all districts are advised to remind all the shipping agencies to strictly follow Headquarters PCG Memo 01-09 or the Guidelines on Movements of Motorboats/Vessels in the Absence of Weather Bulletin and HPCG SOP No. 002-09 on the Interim Guidelines on PCG Alert Condition/Levels. Meanwhile, he said fishing boats and other small sea crafts have been advised not to venture out into the sea while larger vessels were alerted against big waves, after PAGASA issued Gale Warning No. 60, on Dec. 31, 2011. The warning said a strong to gale force winds, associated with the surge of easterly and north easterly winds was expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas. Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and isolated thunderstorms was expected to prevail over the seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, as well, as those of the Eastern, Central and Western Visayas seaboards. A wind force of 52-63 km/30-34 knots and 52-71 km./28-38 knots with a sea condition, from rough to very rough and wave height of 3.4 to 5.5 meters in height was expected. Thus, Regional Director Ana of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, has warned the public and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMC) concerned to take appropriate precautionary measures to help mitigate the effects of this weather system. Emphasis should be on the pro-active actions of evacuation rather than rescue to untiringly aim for “zero” casualties, Caňeda, who is also the Chairperson of the Regional DRRMC in region 10, said. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.) | 
