Bad weather prevents Garcia from landing in St. Bernard

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia failed to land in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte when she tried to visit the landslide-hit area yesterday due to bad weather.

Garcia was invited by Mayor Rico Rentuza, who visited the governor last Monday to receive the P500,000 assistance of the Province of Cebu to the victims of floods and landslides.

Garcia was on board chopper RPC33 Bell 206 Long Ranger piloted by Capt. Ronan Villanueva of the General Aviation.

Garcia left the Central Command ground around 10 a.m. yesterday but was not able to land in St. Bernard due to bad weather condition and the zero visibility of the area. Instead, they landed in Sogod, Southern Leyte before going back to Cebu after lunchtime.

Garcia wanted to personally see the areas affected by floods and landslides after Rentuza reported that out of 30 barangays, 25 are affected by continuous flooding and landslides displacing at least 1,500 families or around 5,000 individuals.

The amount appropriated by Cebu province was only proportionate to four affected barangays as earlier reported.Garcia assured the amount may be just initial as she continues monitoring the extent of damage brought by continuous rains. She said she will possibly give more.

Prior to the visit of Garcia in Southern Leyte, Rentuza already warned there may be difficulty in landing the chopper if weather is not good.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) issued a gale warning, reminding operators of sea vessels of the dangers in the sea.

PAGASA weather specialist I, May Silagan, warned the residents who lived near low-lying areas and those along the shores as well as those who want to travel to be alert against flash floods, landslides and rough seas.

Silagan explains that gale warning is a weather system that is not only in effect in Region 7 but in the entire country.

According to her, the country will still experience cloudy days with scattered rain shower most of the day and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

“This is so because we are at the peak of La Niña season and at the peak of the northeast monsoon,” Silagan told The FREEMAN over the phone.

She added that sea vessels and small crafts may venture but depending on the development of the weather condition.

PCG-Cebu Commander Anelito Gabisan said that pump boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.Gabisan said that they are following certain provisions when to and not to hold larger sea vessels to travel across the seawaters.

“We follow certain gross standards in accordance to weather condition. If taas ang waves, vessels with higher gross standards are only allowed to travel,” he said.

He said that situations like now, sea crafts below 1000 gross tons which are not included in matrix provisions are prevented from traveling to avoid danger accidents. —(FREEMAN)