The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Emergency Operations Center and the DRRMO teams provincewide will be on blue alert as Negros Occidental ushers in the New Year.
They are on alert especially for victims of vehicular accidents, firecrackers and medical emergencies, Irene Bel Ploteña, PDRRMO head said.
She said there were a lot of vehicular accidents during Christmas, mostly involving food delivery drivers on motorcycles.
Eighteen ambulances of the provincial government will be prepositioned in various parts of the province to respond to emergencies, she said.
She called on the public to drive safely to avoid accidents during the New Year celebrations.
“Don’t drink and drive,” Ploteña said.
Ploteña said the public is advised to be vigilant and to celebrate the New Year safely by not using firecrackers to avoid losing fingers.
Use safe alternative noisemakers, she said.
The PDRRO Emergency Operations Center will be operating 24/7 with the assistance of Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Coast Guard personnel, she said.
Negros Occidental provincial government hospitals are also on Code White Alert for New Year’s Eve emergencies.*