Lapu-Lapu City steps up disaster readiness

CEBU, Philippines —  The Lapu-Lapu City Government has intensified its disaster preparedness efforts as typhoon Tino threatens Cebu and other parts of the Visayas.

Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan convened all department and office heads, along with representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–Lapu-Lapu City and the Mactan Electric Company (MECO), to coordinate preemptive actions following the yellow warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA–Visayas PRSD) indicating possible flooding in low-lying areas.

Mayor Chan directed the City General Services Office (CGSO) to ensure that all response and frontline service vehicles are fully fueled and ready for deployment. She also ordered decloggers, dump trucks, and ambulances to be placed on standby for possible rescue operations.

She instructed the City Hospital, Sta. Rosa Community Hospital, City Health Office, and all barangay health centers to remain open and fully operational throughout the storm. Anti-tetanus vaccines and emergency medicines were also readied in coordination with the City Health Office.

The mayor further reminded all department heads to inspect their respective offices, secure windows, and back up important files in case of flooding or roof damage.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia urged employees and residents to secure vital documents, protect property, and stay updated on weather advisories. The CDRRMO also released the city’s rescue hotline numbers: 0999-972-1111 and 0917-849-4709.

To ensure public safety, Mayor Chan announced a work suspension for non-essential city government employees from 3 p.m. yesterday, November 3, until 12 noon today, November 4.

Exempted from the suspension are frontline offices, including the Office of the Mayor, CDRRMO, City Engineering, City Traffic Management System (CTMS), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Hospital, City Health Office, Clearing Team, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Clean and Green Office, Public Information Office, all barangay halls, barangay health workers, and public terminals.

Mayor Chan also encouraged private companies and establishments to suspend operations for the safety of their employees, adding that an executive order will formalize the suspension.

As part of precautionary measures, around 65 residents from the islet barangay of Caubian were evacuated to the mainland early yesterday. Personnel from the CDRRMO assisted in their transport, with some evacuees staying with relatives and others housed in designated evacuation centers.

In a social media post, the mayor confirmed that residents, particularly those in coastal areas, have begun evacuating due to the threat of storm surges, which could reach one to two meters high.

However, she expressed concern that some remain reluctant to leave their homes and belongings.

“Subo lang pamalandungon nga adunay uban nga nagmagahi kay di nila pwede mabiyaan ang ilang panimalay ug ilang mga kabtangan. Maong akong mensahe sa mga nagpuyo sa coastal areas, kahibaw ko nga importante para kaninyu ang inyung mga kabtangan pero mas importante ang kinabuhi. Ang kabtangan makita ra na pero ang kinabuhi kausa ra na,” Mayor Chan said, urging residents to move to safer grounds.

The city government has identified evacuation centers across all 30 barangays.

In a special session held yesterday, November 3, the City Council approved two urgent resolutions in response to the approaching typhoon—one declaring Lapu-Lapu City under a State of Imminent Disaster, authored by Councilors Marciano A. Alforque Jr. and Emilio L. Galaroza Jr., and another requiring essential establishments to prepare and maintain generator sets to ensure continuous operations in the aftermath of the storm, authored by Councilors Annabeth D. Cuizon and Ariane Neil Marie D. Yap.

These measures form part of the city’s proactive disaster preparedness efforts to safeguard the welfare of Oponganons amid the looming threat of Typhoon Tino.

Mayor Chan also reminded the public to report individuals or businesses taking advantage of the situation by overpricing food, water, gasoline, and other essential goods.

“Now is the time for us to work together. Let’s not take advantage of the situation in the wrong way,” she said.

The mayor reiterated her call for vigilance and unity, urging Oponganons to remain calm but alert, and to continue monitoring official advisories from the city government. (CEBU NEWS)