THE Davao del Norte provincial government is preparing for two to eight typhoons expected to hit the Philippines in the first quarter of 2025.

Glenda O. Delideli, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), assured that the Local Government Unit (LGU) is taking measures to ensure the safety and preparedness of residents in the event of a disaster .

“Nag-andam na ‘ta sa tanang gamit sama sa inflatable boats, rescue trucks and ambulances on kung kinahanglan day (We have already prepared equipment such as inflatable boats, rescue trucks and ambulances to be ready in case needed),” she said.

The province has also proposed increasing its food stock from 2,000 to 6,000 food parcels, which will include hygiene kits and fuel reserves. Hot meals will also be prepared for residents affected by the typhoon.

Delideli stressed that PDRRMO continues to provide water rescue training to ensure responders have the necessary knowledge and skills to handle emergencies. These efforts, under the leadership of Governor Edwin Jubahib, reflect the provincial government’s commitment to the security and well-being of its people.

Engineer. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) official Araya Mahilum confirmed during the fourth quarterly meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council that two to eight typhoons are expected enter the country. Philippine Area of ​​Responsibility (PAR) and will impact the region from January to June 2025.

Mahilum also warned that the La Niña phenomenon, which will continue from December 2024 to February 2025, will bring above-normal rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.

In preparation, the province will install additional flood and tsunami monitoring cameras with sirens in strategic areas and update flood markers for better information dissemination in high-risk areas. RGP