Residents urged to be vigilant Cebu braces for TS Ramon

Let’s brace for a storm.

CEBU, Philippines -  Tropical storm Ramon is expected to hit Cebu tonight, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of last night, signal number 1 was hoisted in 12 provinces around Visayas and Mindanao including Cebu.

PAGASA-Mactan Chief Oscar Tabada yesterday said the tropical storm Ramon packs maximum sustained winds of up to 60 to 65 kilometers per hour near the center.

The weather bureau said the storm is moving at 17 kilometers per hour.

Tabada also said that storm signal number 2 was already raised in the Surigao provinces, Siargao, Dinagat Island, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

“Ramon” will be hitting the country just two weeks after typhoons Pedring and Quiel that caused heavy flooding in several areas around Luzon leaving billions of pesos in damages to infrastructure and agriculture.

The Philippines could expect 2 to 3 more storms this year.

Be Vigilant

Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo urged communities near the riverbanks to be cautious and vigilant as heavy rain is expected.

“Landslides and flooding incidents are triggered by prolonged and heavy precipitation aside from other geologic factor,” Alburo said.

Alburo also reminded the local government units to revisit the reports on critical areas that are found to be highly vulnerable to flooding and landslides as indicated in the geo-hazards threat advisory issued to them.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued a general storm advisory to his constituents.

All barangay officials and residents living near mountain slopes, near or along the riverbanks, coastal areas and those along the flood-prone or low-lying areas are advised to be on alert for possible flooding and landslides.

On Alert

Rama also directed the barangay officials to activate their respective Barangay Disaster Brigades as well as their volunteers to undertake monitoring and precautionary measures in their area of responsibility.

“Use you 30 percent Quick Response Fund from the 5 percent calamity fund of your barangay if necessary. Emphasis should be on proactive actions: evacuating is better than rescue,” the mayor said.

Residents are advised to call 166 for Police, 160 for Fire, and 161 for Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation for any incident.

“Our aim is to have zero casualty,” the mayor said.

In Camotes Island, Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez Jr. said that all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (BDRRMC) are on alert as the town’s search and rescue teams on standby.

Fernandez Jr. said he has instructed the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to be vigilant and to warn the residents especially those living near coastal areas to be prepared.

 “Though rains are still minimal at this point packed with only slight winds, but we have to be prepared at all times,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said classes in the elementary level have already been suspended.

 In the northern town of San Remigio, Venicio Dajuya, the municipal public information officer, said they are doing close monitoring.

Sogod Mayor Lisa Marie ‘Monyeen’ Durano yesterday convened a meeting to ensure that preparations are in place to mitigate the impact of the storm.

Durano said that all public schools are already identified as evacuation centers in case residents in danger prone areas need to be evacuated.

Measures

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) chaired by the Office of Civil Defense-7 has issued an advisory to all RDRRMC members to conduct preparedness measures amid the coming typhoon.

Among the recommended measures are the conduct of pre-emptive evacuations and aim for zero casualty, identification of evacuation centers for longer utilization and coordination of relief efforts by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, conduct of information drive to emphasize responsibility and consequence of action, consolidate and activation of SAR assets and equipment, activation of respective operations center and contact persons, undertake clearing operations to ensure transport accessibility and constant monitoring of weather bulletins.

Cancelled Flights

Eight flights of the Cebu Pacific were cancelled due to Ramon.

The Cebu Pacific management said that passengers can re-book their flights within 30 days of cancellation or store it in a travel fund without penalties. The affected passengers can also be accommodated on the next available flights.

Stranded Passengers

Over 200 passengers were stranded yesterday afternoon after the Philippine Coast Guard disallowed small vessels to leave port due to the storm.

PCG Cebu Station Commander Rolando Punzalan said that after some areas were declared under signal number one, all vessels with gross tonnage of 1,000 or less were prevented from setting sail.

Once signal number 2 is raised, all vessels will be grounded.

Punzalan said that sea travel from Eastern and Western Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Biliran, Camotes Island, Northern Cebu, Northern Negros and Iloilo, Capiz, Masbate and Ticao Island are all suspended as of yesterday afternoon.

The PCG has also asked the cooperation of the public, especially fishermen no to set sail in this weather. — Ryan Christopher J. Sorote, Niña G. sumacot/NLQ (FREEMAN)