Talisay ready for La Niña

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is gearing up for La Niña.

City administrator Richel Bacaltos said all 22 barangay village chiefs have been told to get their respective constituents to safety without waiting for disasters to strike.

Inhabitants in flood- and landslide-prone barangays have particularly been warned, he said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources hasdeclared some parts of the city as flood- and landslide-prone.

As in the past years, coastal areas are likely to be hit again by big waves.

Bacaltos said some heavy equipment will be on standby and can be used to evacuate people to safer grounds when the need arises.

Last week, a team from the city health office, city social welfare, city engineering, and the fire department assessed the situation in the coastal areas, river and mountain barangays.

Also at this time, a number of barangays in Talisay are inundated, while some areas in mountain barangays are reportedly being watched for signs that could trigger landslides.

Bacaltos said the team is tasked to report its assessment of the situation and to find solutions to problems facing residents who may be affected by the weather.

The result of the survey was reportedly presented in last Wednesday's meeting with the Local Risk Reduction Management Council, said Bacaltos.