Laoag City (17 October) – The Laoag City disaster risk and reduction management council has started mobilizing quick-response teams in preparation for the storm.
Sirens at the city hall were also sounded each time PAGASA weather station raised storm signals. As of 2 p.m. Sunday, the weather bureau has raised storm signal number 2 in Ilocos Norte.
Laoag Mayor Michael Fariñas has ordered the council to make relief goods immediately available for dispatch and evacuation centers equipped with basic facilities and supplements for residents seeking shelter.
The Laoag City Police will start implementing a sectoral scheme of responding to typhoon victims. Under the system, Laoag will be divided to four sectors and corresponding response teams will be deployed to each area where victims are located.
Officials in flood-prone areas like the towns of Paoay, Dingras and Bacarra have advised residents to relocate to safer grounds before flood waters start to rise.
Some candidates for the upcoming barangay polls took advantage of typhoon alarms to remind residents to secure their houses and stock up on basic food stuff as Juan threatens to hit the province.
The candidates went on a house-house campaign this morning encouraging residents to go out and vote and reminding them in the same breath to brace for the storm.
“Do not hesitate to approach us for help in case of emergency,” a young man running as kagawad was heard addressing residents lining up before a village-grocery.
Some residents also took advantage of a sunny and windy weather to wash and dry up clothes while others secured their roofs and windows.
Apartment dwellers took out their pet dogs and gave them instant baths noting that their pets would have to sit out the storm with them inside their homes.
“We have learned from storm Pepeng last year. Our pets need to be protected from the rains too,” says Gigi who owns two dogs.
