Cebu City evacuates hundreds

CEBU, Philippines — Over two hundred individuals from 48 families here have taken shelter in evacuation centers across Cebu City as Tropical Depression Wilma continues to move westward toward the Visayas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) reported that four sites are currently housing evacuees, with the largest group at Regino Elementary School in Barangay Pahina Central where 39 families, or 173 individuals, are staying.

Smaller groups have also sought refuge at Tisa National High School, Busay Day Care Center, and Baugo Gym in Barangay Budlaan.

DSWS head Portia Basamayor said food packs, sleeping kits, and other assistance are being distributed to evacuees, while teams from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) remain on the ground to monitor conditions and ensure the welfare of affected families.

The city government has intensified its readiness measures following a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment and Emergency Response Preparedness Meeting last Friday (Dec. 5) at the Legislative Building.

Mayor Nestor Archival and CDRRMC Chairman, Councilor David Tumulak, led the session where they were joined barangay officials and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The meeting reinforced coordination among agencies and barangays, identified risk-prone areas, and ensured that all stakeholders are equipped to respond swiftly to any effects of Wilma.

CCDRMO chief Aderson Comar told The Freeman yesterday that so far, no major incident had been noted in the city, but its disaster response units remain on standby to safeguard communities.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Wilma was located 70 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, as of 7:00 a.m. yesterday.

Maintaining strength

PhilStar.com reported PAGASA’s track: Wilma continued to maintain its strength while staying almost stationary over the coastal waters of Can-avid, Eastern Samar yesterday (December 6).

As of 4:00 p.m., Wilma packed a maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 55 kph and a central pressure of 1004 hPa. Strong winds from the system were extending up to 180 kilometers from its center.

Cebu City was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, which means that strong winds may be experienced within 36 hours across the area.

PAGASA forecasts light to moderate rains with occasional gusts across Cebu, raising risks of localized flooding in low-lying areas, stronger winds in coastal and upland barangays, and rough sea conditions. Sea travel for small boats is discouraged.

The other areas under Signal No. 1 were: Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, southern portion of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan, Northern and Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, northern and central parts of Leyte and Cebu, northern part of Negros Oriental, northern and central Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.

On its forecast track, PAGASA said Wilma will make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar between Saturday afternoon and evening, then cross the Visayas until Dec. 7 before reaching Sulu Sea through Palawan by Monday, according to PhilStar.com reports.

The Cebu City Government has urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary sea travel, and follow barangay advisories, particularly in flood- and landslide-prone areas.

As the inclement weather approaches, city officials reiterated their call for unity and preparedness, stressing that the safety of all Cebuanos remains top priority. — (FREEMAN)