CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor George Goking urged his colleagues on Monday to adopt resolution that would mandate the creation of safer evacuation centers.
Goking made the recommendation as he even requested private and public schools including other institutions or companies in the city to make available their respective establishments as temporary shelters or evacuation areas for the duration of Typhoon Odette.
Earlier, the city government, according to Goking stepped up preparations for Severe Tropical Storm Odette which is expected to strengthen into a typhoon today, (Thursday).
The city government was preparing to evacuate residents living along the rivers due to the threat of floods as well as those living near landslide-prone areas,said Goking.
He said this is in preparation for the coming unfavorable weather condition that will hit Mindanao areas according to PAGASA.
“Awareness is very important and it is necessary to be prepared,” said Goking, chair of the Council's committees on trade and commerce and on ways and means.
He also encouraged the business sector to prepare necessary plans and actions for the protection of its employees.
“We need to cooperate and hope that schools will cooperate for the benefit and safety of all,” he said.
Several typhoons already visited the city causing loss of lives and damaging billions of properties, according to Goking.
City’s disaster response agencies have heightened preparations for Odette, which calls to mind the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Sendong” 10 years ago, also in December, said Goking.
The projected path of Odette slightly resembles that of Sendong’s, which first made landfall in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, on Dec. 16, 2011. (Ben Balce)
