SANTO DOMINGO- The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) reported that, starting this Monday, it has deployed more than three thousand of its employees to mitigate the effects that Tropical Storm Franklin could cause as it passes through the country. These employees will work in brigades spread throughout the areas that relief agencies have identified as being at greatest risk.
At a meeting held at noon today, headed by Minister Deligne Ascención, it was decided to declare the Ministry in permanent session, and that its head and all the vice ministers and directors will be in charge of supervising the work of the members and teams of the MOPC, so that the effects of the phenomenon can be as small as possible.
Teams and personnel from the Police and Military Commission (COMIPOL), Transportation and Equipment, Road Maintenance, Supervision and Inspection, Regional Coordination, Special Programs, Road Worker, Medical Department, among others, will be present before, during and after the storm, guiding the public, cleaning storm drains and all types of drainage, rural roads, clearing ravines, and ditches on highways and roads, to mitigate the damage it could cause and save lives as a result.
The MPOC reiterates its call to citizens to stay tuned to the notices and information that will be issued by the Emergency Operations Center (COE) as the country's highest relief agency.
In addition to Minister Ascención, the meeting was attended by Vice Ministers Roberto Herrera, of Supervision and Auditing; Angel Tejeda, of Planning and Technical Regulation; Luis Bastardo, of Road Maintenance; Mélito Santana, of Regional Coordination, as well as Colonel Roque Ventura Sosa, representing the director of the Military and Police Commission.
Also, general and regional directors of the institution whose areas are integrated into the work before, during and after the passage of the tropical storm.
Tasks to be carried out and recommendations
At the meeting, held in the institution's Conference Room, it was agreed that work would begin beforehand on cleaning storm drains, in order to prevent possible flooding before the passage of the storm.
Also, a check of the current condition of tubular bridges and culverts is being carried out, and social programs and medical brigades have been activated.
The MOPC's protocol states that during a storm, if the house or workplace is safe, doors and windows should be closed, objects that could be thrown by the wind should be protected with tape or wood, or secured.
It also recommends that when leaving the house or office, you should disconnect the water, gas, and electricity connections, and take only essential personal documents and belongings with you
Also, if people live in high-risk areas such as ravines, near dams, rivers or hillsides, it is safer to move to the nearest shelter, where they must remain until the authorities tell them when they can return to their homes.
In any dangerous event or accident, you should remain calm, and if the situation warrants it, call your supervisor and the emergency services.
After the storm, people in shelters must wait for the authorities to notify them that they can leave.
To mitigate the effects that the storm could generate during its passage, the MOPC has the support of the teams that are stationed in the different provinces.
Prior to the passage of the storm, the MOPC's action protocol indicates that the conditions of the house should be checked, especially doors, windows, walls and roofs.
Also, you should have first aid kits on hand, have flashlights available, have food and water for at least two days, and medicines for at least five days.
Likewise, work teams located near rivers and ravines should be moved to safe areas.
