NGA in Virac Catanduanes

Virac, officially the Municipality of Virac, is a 1st class municipality and capital of the

province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population

of 76,520 people. It is the most populous and fifth largest land area in Catanduanes.

In 2022, severe tropical storm Nalgae, also known as Paeng in the local dialect, made

landfall in Catanduanes, Bicol area, affecting about 2,000,000 people. Strong winds and

torrential rains hit all seventeen regions, causing over 554 flooding occurrences and

landslides in various parts of the nation, half of which have now receded. Government

sources state that at least 863,000 individuals are either staying with friends and family

or in 2,801 evacuation centers as a temporary place to stay. As per the report by the

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), there have

been at least 101 deaths (73 verified, 28 pending confirmation), 70 injuries, and 66

unaccounted for deaths.

In the struggle against unforeseen circumstances, NGA 911 steps in as a potent ally.

Modern public safety technology not only helps responders locate and understand their

surroundings better, but also greatly speeds up EMS, PNP, and BFP response times.

Through Computer-Aided Dispatch, it can also integrate weather, surveillance, phone

numbers, and alert/early warning systems. These will undoubtedly help Catanduanes

remain one step ahead of future calamities and maintain the safety and security of their

community and make sure that a similar catastrophe as Tropical Storm “Paeng” will be

forecasted efficiently avoiding casualties moving forward.