By Ulysses Torres Sabuco
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Variety News Staff
THE Public School System has begun activating secondary shelters across the islands as the number of residents seeking safe refuge continues to rise ahead of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, who oversees shelter operations, announced that as of 3 p.m. Monday, April 13, secondary shelters on Saipan, Tinian and Rota are being opened to accommodate the growing influx of evacuees.
“These secondary shelters are being activated as we continue to prepare for the influx of individuals seeking shelter. Our primary goal is to support shelter needs during calamities,” Camacho told Variety. “We are activating these to prevent overflow or overcapacity.”
He added that timing is critical as conditions are expected to deteriorate in the coming hours.
“We also have to ensure that there is time for those who need to seek shelter while there is still daylight,” he said.
CHCC’s Environmental Health Disease Prevention inspected the secondary facilities earlier in the day to ensure readiness.
Camacho also urged residents to reach out to the CNMI Office of Homeland Security–Emergency Operations Center for further information or additional guidance.
He said tertiary shelters are already on standby and will be activated if secondary sites reach capacity.
Saipan
Kagman Elementary School has been designated as a secondary shelter, supporting the nearby Kagman High School cafeteria, which is nearing capacity with 61 evacuees out of an 80-person limit.
At Marianas High School, the secondary shelter is located in its second cafeteria, a short distance from the primary site.
Tinian
Tinian High School’s cafeteria has been designated as a secondary shelter to ease overcrowding at Tinian Elementary School, which has exceeded its 40-person capacity, with 42 shelterees.
Rota
On Rota, the cafeteria at Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School has been activated as a secondary shelter.
Camacho said he remains in constant communication with shelter managers across all three islands and has been conducting site visits to ensure readiness.
“We are all set to accommodate additional evacuees to ensure our residents’ safety,” he said.
Officials continue to urge residents in vulnerable areas to move early while conditions remain safe.
“We have to take advantage of the daylight before the storm hits,” Camacho added.
