Relief goods delivered in isolated Ilocos towns

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union , Philippines  – Officials and personnel of the Ilocos Regional Disaster Coordinating Council rushed yesterday the delivery of relief goods to residents in isolated areas in Ilocos Norte, La Union and Ilocos Sur before typhoon Ramil finally makes a landfall in northern Luzon.

The RDCC used two helicopters to carry the goods as they can still move through the poor weather condition caused by Ramil.

Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, Ilocos police director and RDCC chair, told The STAR that the isolated areas are the villages affected recently by typhoon Pepeng.

Aside from the distribution of relief goods, Gatan said he already instructed all the provincial disaster coordinating councils in Region 1 to conduct pre-positioning of rescuers and for the conduct of pre-emptive evacuation to affected residents.

“I also ordered the (police) provincial directors to ensure and prepare the needed equipments for rescue operations. We’re now prepared for any untoward incident,” Gatan said.

He said that policemen and personnel from the Philippine Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard based in Poro Point were already deployed in critical areas to assist residents in case of emergency.          – Jun Elias