The Negros Occidental province-wide disaster response program is now fully operational, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, July 14.
The provincial government has prepositioned 18 new ambulances in the six districts of Negros Occidental, he said.
Road rescue vehicles have also been assigned to Bago City and EB Magalona where most of the vehicular accidents transpire, while water search and rescue equipment have been placed in Sipalay City, he said.
The provincial government has a 911 emergency hotline that has been operating for more than a year.
It is based at the command center at the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division building at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City, he said.
Meanwhile, the provincial government as of Friday had not declared a blue alert amid the continues rains over the province.
The southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Depression “Dodong” may bring significant amount of rains within the next three days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Negros Occidental is not in the direct path of “Dodong,” Diaz said.*