Mindoro braces for typhoon 'Ruby'

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines — Local government units in Oriental Mindoro, particularly the provincial government and the city government of Calapan, are now bracing for the projected onslaught of Typhoon "Ruby" which is expected to hit this area possibly on late Sunday or early Monday.

This developed as the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday ordered government hospitals in MIMAROPA (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) to keep at least half of their staff on duty during the passage of the typhoon in the areas covered by the region.

The “code blue” alert went out to DOH-retained hospitals in MIMAROPA such as the large Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital and its satellite district hospitals in Puerto Galera, Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Bansud and Roxas.  

A code blue alert means 50 percent of all personnel should report for duty in the hospital to render medical and other services during an emergency. The move was part of the comprehensive disaster preparedness measures to deal with and to lessen the anticipated impact of Ruby on local communities, the DOH said.

“Drugs, medicines and other supplies worth P243 million have also been prepositioned in the region,” the DOH said, adding the measures were being undertaken to help ensure that the zero-casualty target is met.

The provincial and city disaster risk reduction and management councils have also placed all their available personnel and equipment on standby in anticipation of the worst case scenario brought about by the typhoon.  Separately, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. and Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan met with their disaster and rescue teams to prepare them on what to do.

Relief packs have been also prepared for distribution to those who will need especially those already in different evacuation areas.

With the help of the local Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and other rescue units, Umali and Panaligan directed those people living on critical or danger prone areas to evacuate to all available evacuation areas.

"We are also aiming for 'zero casualty' here even though we will be the direct hit area of typhoon Ruby," Panaligan said.