Biliran draws up for Typhoon HAGUPIT (22W)

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The Biliran Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council conducts its first briefing today to discuss preparations for the approaching weather disturbance - Tropical Storm 22W with International name HAGUPIT. The phenomenon has already created fears among Biliranons who were traumatized by the effects of STY Yolanda that hit the area more than a year ago.

The council identified every member's resources that could be utilized for emergency response including personnel, vehicles, supplies, equipment, and facilities. The meeting also served as initial action to identify contact persons from every agency including their contact numbers and other possible means of reaching them under worst case scenario.

Present during the briefing were the Municipal Mayors from Almeria, Naval, Biliran, and Cabucgayan and representative from critical agencies like the PNP, the Provincial DSWD, PHO, NFA, DPWH, PIA, DOST, and others.

HAGUPIT threatens to hit Eastern Visayas based on various forecasts from International Weather stations (see photo: taken from http://www.typhoon2000.ph/).

Meanwhile, PAGASA-DOST issued the official warning at 11 AM today with the following text "FOR: TYPHOON RUBY (INTERNATIONAL NAME “HAGUPIT”)
ISSUED AT: 11:00 AM, 03 DECEMBER 2014

AT 8:00 AM TODAY, THE TYPHOON OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN WITH INTERNATIONAL NAME “HAGUPIT” WAS ESTIMATED BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA AT 1,610 KM EAST OF DAVAO CITY (7.5˚N, 140.4˚E), WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 140 KPH NEAR THE CENTER AND GUSTINESS OF UP TO 170 KPH. IT IS FORECAST TO MOVE WEST NORTHWEST AT 30 KPH.

THIS WEATHER SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (PAR) BY TOMORROW MORNING AND IT WILL BE NAMED “RUBY” THEN IT WILL MOVE CLOSER TO EASTERN VISAYAS ON FRIDAY. HOWEVER, “HAGUPIT” IS STILL TOO FAR TO AFFECT ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THIS OUTLOOK WILL BE UPDATED AS SOON AS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE WEATHER PATTERN OCCUR.

THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST TO BE ISSUED AT 5:00 PM TODAY WHILE THE NEXT WEATHER ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED AT 11:00 AM TOMORROW.

Food Safety Team trains rural group

Participants eagerly listening to the speakers

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The Eastern Visayas Food Safety Team conducted another training on Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety to a group of 24 Agrarian Reform beneficiaries in Brgy. Looc, Culaba, Biliran on October 13-14, 2014.

The Looc Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (LARBA) is engaged in fish processing producing smoked fish and dried fish among others. With membership mostly women, the association is aiming to improve the quality of the product in order to raise acceptance of the market. This would in turn benefit their families by augmenting their farm incomes.

The group's product

The EVFST is composed of competent resource persons from the Department of Science and Technology Region 8. The team includes: Ms. Imelda Piccoro, SRS II of DOST-Leyte, Mr. Emmanuel Lagdamen, SRS I, and Mr. Alfred Calibuso, SRS II DOST Laboratory project. DOST Biliran PSTC, headed by OIC Ms. Ma. Catherine G. Maniba with staff Ms. Gracevillayn Saldo, PA II and Mr. Teddy Abenido, PA I assisted the training as facilitators.

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Biliran Province, currently supervised by Mr. Noel Salloman, MARPO through the Project Coordinator Mr. Arnel Javines, ARPO I, facilitated the conduct of the activity which is part of the agencies support projects for the beneficiaries of their land transfer programs.