Francisco intensifies into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Francisco is enhancing the southwest monsoon and has intensified into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.

Based on the latest weather satellite at 5 p.m. yesterday, Francisco (international Mekkhala) was last located at 1,055 kilometers east of Central Luzon moving west northwestward at 25 km per hour.

It is packing winds at 120 kph and gusts at 150 kph.

The state weather bureau had said Wind Signal No. 1 may be raised at northern and eastern portions of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands and Batanes by today.

The monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas – especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds – in La Union, Pangasinan, Calabarzon, Romblon, Masbate, most of Visayas, Basilan, Sulu, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, the eastern portion of Davao Occidental and the eastern and southern portions of Davao Oriental today.

Most of Luzon, Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental will be affected by the monsoon tomorrow.

Meanwhile, another low-pressure area is being monitored outside of the Philippine area of responsibility, which was last located at 3,020 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon and has a “low” chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours.

DepEd tells schools to be vigilant

The Department of Education (DepEd) instructed affected school division offices to remain vigilant.

Yesterday, the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service reminded the affected school division offices to “stay vigilant” and monitor the weather forecasts, and to promptly disseminate updated information to all learners and staff.

They should also maintain communication by making sure that all channels are operational, and to report incidents via the Incident Monitoring Reporting System.

It should also alert the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management teams and activate the contingency plans as necessary, and to also preposition the emergency resources.

The school division offices should also protect the school assets by safeguarding the facilities, learning materials and equipment.

They should also coordinate their efforts with the local government units and disaster risk reduction and management councils to enhance emergency preparedness.