SoCot residents urged to remain alert during holidays

KORONADAL CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato called on residents on Wednesday to remain alert while celebrating the Yuletide season.

Milagros Rivera-Lorca, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said that while the provincial government has not received reports indicating imminent security threats, residents are still advised to "help authorities in guarding everyone’s safety."

"The Christmas and New Year celebrations should go on as usual, but we should always be cautious and think about our safety," Lorca said in an interview.

Lorca also advised parents to watch their children, especially when going to crowded areas like shopping malls and parks.

She said the PDRRMO will be on full alert status on Dec. 24 to 26 and on Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. As standard operating procedure, she said they will also activate their incident command system during the period.

"We're already on standby mode right now because of the Misa de Gallo, and we're also monitoring all convergence points in the province," Lorca said.

Cyrus Urbano, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, also advised residents to be "always on guard" when withdrawing money from automated teller machines of ATMs in the city.

Urbano said they should avoid withdrawing at night and in ATM sites that are not properly secure.

"This is a time that criminals usually take advantage," he said. (PNA)