CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed southern Cebu and other areas in Region 7 and Mindanao under storm signal number 1 yesterday with the entrance of tropical depression Zoraida.
Zoraida came barely four days after super typhoon Yolanda battered Eastern Visayas and wrecked havoc in northern Cebu.
As a result, the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu District barred 18 passenger vessels, one motor banca, five (roll on, roll off) roro vessels from travelling.
Janus Sabas, deputy commander of PCG-Cebu District said 1,505 passengers who were supposed to travel from Cebu to Bohol, Dumaguete City and Northern Mindanao, were stranded.
Based on PAGASA’s weather bulletin number three issued at 5p.m. yesterday, Zoraida was at 634 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur.
PAGASA-Mactan weather observer 3 Kelly Torregosa said Zoraida will bring rains in Metro Cebu today, but the impact won’t be as severe as that of Yolanda.
“Pero kaning si Zoraida mas buotan ni kaysa ni Yolanda. But dapat andam gihapon ang katawhan kay bagyo man lang gihapon ni si Zoraida. Di lang mo kumpyansa ang publiko (This is a weaker weather disturbance but we can’t be complacent),†Torregosa said.
Engr. Oscar Tabada also of PAGASA warned people of possible flooding and landslide.
The provincial government has put up tents that would serve as temporary shelters in areas in the north that have been affected badly by Yolanda.
“The immediate need now is trapal. So mag-distribute mi karon og trapal aron lang dili sila mabasa (The immediate need are tents so we will distribute tents today to protect people from rain),†Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said.
As of yesterday, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has sent 3,000 packs of relief goods to Medellin, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan while a truck carrying 80 packs left for Tabuelan and Tabogon, said PSWDO OIC Evelyn Senajon.
“To follow ani niya, ang ato na pod nga relief assistance. Karon gi-facilitate na nato nga naa tay trapal kay atong ipanghatag sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga municipality. Labi nga karon naa na pod tay another typhoon nga nakasulod na gane dinhi sa atong Philippine waters,†Senajon stressed, adding that the assistance will be given directly to municipal treasurers who will identify the affected families.
She also reiterated that they are in need of volunteers for the repacking, and private companies that can lend trucks to be used in transporting the commodities.
Zoraida entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility yesterday and is forecasted to move West Northwest at 30 kph and is expected to be at the vicinity of Agusan del Sur this afternoon.
On Wednesday afternoon, Zoraida will be at 100km Southwest of Coron, Palawan and by Thursday afternoon at 810 km West of Ambulong, Batangas.
Aside from Southern Cebu, storm signal number one was also raised in Siquijor, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Southern Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental ug Camiguin Island. (FREEMAN)