by Cristina Arzadon

Laoag City (19 October) -- The city government has started mobilizing its disaster council and preparing all the necessary rescue equipment and relief packs in anticipation of typhoon Ramil.

Laoag Mayor Michael Fariñas issued a stern warning for all department heads to be readily available and have their mobile phones open at all times in case disaster strikes.

"We should be on red alert. I have a strict order for the city mayor’s office staff to be on call or they will be admonished," Fariñas said during Monday’s regular staff meeting.

This early, Fariñas ran down a list of items that needed to be on hand from flashlights, generators, chainsaws, relief packs, portalets, ambulance, fire trucks and other heavy equipment.

The city social welfare office said it started receiving relief goods from the National Disaster Coordinating Council over the weekend consisting of 2,460 relief packs and 600 packs of clothing.

City Social Welfare Officer Aurora Corpuz said another plane carrying other relief goods like towels and water jugs is expected to arrive today.

Fariñas ordered the CSWO to gather enough warm bodies to help in repacking the relief goods before the storm starts pounding the city.

He said he will use his powers to implement pre-emptive evacuation if necessary.

Meanwhile, City Div. Schools Supt. Araceli Pastor said officials might consider postponing the opening of the city athletic meet scheduled on October 21 should stormy weather prevails.

She said that while it’s all systems go for the city meet, this should be put off on the first sign of inclement weather.

The city health office said chemicals are needed to prevent cases of leptospirosis which has killed a 27 year-old victim while one is undergoing treatment at the city hospital.