North braces for typhoon

CEBU, Philippines —  Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged local government units in Luzon and the Visayas to enforce pre-emptive forced evacuation protocols in preparation for supertyphoon Pepito.

He issued a memorandum last Friday for LGUs to "identify and prepare evacuation centers that meet safety standards and are equipped with sanitation and medical facilities, as well as designated areas for vulnerable groups."

Local government units were also urged "to prepare for the distribution of relief supplies in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)."

Visayas Command

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Visayas

 Command (VISCOM) boosted its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) preparations after Pepito, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday evening, approaches the Visayas region.

In preparation for the impact of the super typhoon, VISCOM, in a statement, said it has placed all its HADR teams in the region, particularly those in Eastern Visayas, on high alert.

Likewise, in anticipation of potential challenges during deployment, VISCOM also directed its subordinate units to pre-position the HADR teams "equipped with rescue gears; mobility and communication assets, to strategic areas where they can be swiftly mobilized and support the disaster response efforts of the local government".

It said that close coordination with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) has also been established to ensure swift and cohesive response when the need arises.

Lieutenant General Fernando M. Reyeg PA, VISCOM commander, emphasized the importance of a proactive response in safeguarding the communities throughout the Visayas.

“VISCOM is fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of our people in the Visayas in the face of this impending typhoon. We are closely monitoring the situation, have activated our disaster response protocols, and pre-positioned assets for a swift and effective response in coordination with local government units. Our coordination with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) at all levels remains robust as we brace for any impact,” Reyeg said.

He likewise called for the people’s cooperation and vigilance.

“Our preparations are strong, and we stand ready to serve our people. However, we need everyone’s cooperation to prevent the loss of lives. We urge the public to remain calm yet vigilant, follow the advisories and evacuation directives from local authorities. Let us all work together in taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone, especially those in the affected areas,” Reyeg further said.

Philippine Coast Guard

Also in preparation for the possible effects of the weather disturbance in the region, the Philippine Coast Guard District Central Visayas (PCGDCV) "ensured the readiness and coordination of the Deployable Response Group (DRG) yesterday."

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, all vessel movements between Camotes Island and Leyte are halted temporarily; all voyages of vessels three gross tonnage and below within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of Coast Guard Station Western Bohol are also temporarily suspended, while vessels that allowed to sail are urged to take precautionary measures.

The PCG Station Central Cebu, on the other hand, ordered thar "all movements of vessels of any type or tonnage within the affected AORs are temporarily suspended, except for vessels seeking shelter".

 The PCG further advised coastal communities, fisherfolks, and the seafaring public to avoid any sea-related activities, to prevent accidents.

All other PCG stations in Central Visayas are likewise closely monitoring the situation and may issue additional advisories, if necessary.

On the other hand, as of 4 p.m. yesterday, a total of 144 passengers, 21 vessels, five motorbancas, and 43 rolling cargoes in Central Visayas have been affected due to travel stoppage.

Of the 114 passengers, two were at Polambato Pier in Bogo City, 90 at Hagnaya Port in San Remigio town, and 22 at Carmen Port in Carmen town.

An officer from the PCG Station Northern Cebu told The Freeman yesterday that a few hpassengers chose to stay overnight at the ports, while others decided to go home as their houses were nearby.

He said the lifting of the suspension of sea trips will be based on the PAGASA weather bulletin.

In the northernmost portion of Cebu, the threat of super typhoon Pepito prompted several LGUs to prepare for its possible impact on their areas.

Signal no. 1

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has put the entire Bantayan Island and the towns of Daanbantayan and Medellin, among other places in Visayas, under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) number 1, which means minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible.

Other places in the Visayas under signal number one are portions of Eastern Samar, portions of Samar, Biliran, the northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, MacArthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Abuyog, Javier, City of Baybay, Mahaplag), the northeastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago), and the northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles), based on the 5 p.m. weather bulletin issued by PAGASA yesterday.

In Daanbantayan, Mayor Sun Shimura canceled all school activities yesterday. The LGU also urged the public, especially fisherfolks, to avoid venturing out into the sea because of strong winds and big waves that could potentially put their lives at risk.

Aznar Shipping Corporation also advised of the canceled trips from Pingag, Isabel, Leyte to Danao City (vice versa) and Kawit, Medellin to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island routes.

In Medellin, Mayor Benjun Mondigo gathered the Municipal DRRM office personnel and other frontliners to prepare for the impact of Pepito.

The LGU has prepared the evacuation centers or the shelter areas in their town for possible evacuation of residents; and clearing operations to be done and the prepositioning of relief goods.

In Bantayan, Mayor Arthur Despi ordered the MDRRMO to check the barangays in their town and to continue the monitoring to ensure safety of the residents.

PAGASA Visayas Chief Al Quiblat, said that based on their monitoring, Cebu can expect an "improved" weather condition starting today, Nov. 17.

“Next week, samot nga more improved weather condition,” he told The Freeman in a phone interview.

He said that cloudy weather and light to moderate rains experienced in some parts of Cebu were due to the trough of the super typhoon.

“Hinungaw ni diring sa atoa, while and northern Cebu placed under Signal No. 1, aqng northern portion sa Cebu including Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, ug Medellin,” he explained.

He said that Signal No. 1 in northern Cebu might be lifted soon because the most affected areas in the Visayas are Samar and Leyte, not Cebu.

Quiblat said that Signal No. 3 has been raised in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, while the rest of Samar is under Signal No. 2.

Signal No. 1 was also raised in Leyte province.

“So kaning atoa dili ni siya direct effect hinungaw ni siya, kaning pagdag-om. Tibuok cloudy and light to moderate nga mga pag-ulan,” Quiblat said.

He said ths Pepito is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday, Nov. 18.

“Mao na iyang gitahak karon. Super typhoon siya pero gamay ang iyahang area of influence maong wala kaabot diri sa Cebu and the rest Visayas,” he said.

Although there are no significant effects in Central Visayas and Western Visayas brought by duper typhoon Pepito, the PAGASA Visayas chief said that people should still be cautious, especially those traveling by sea, as trips like Cebu to Bohol have not been canceled.

"Mag-amping lang labi na sa mga gagmay nga sakyanan nga pandagat,” Quiblat said.

He said that Cebu is experiencing moderate to strong winds, which is equivalent to moderate to rough sea conditions, although PAGASA has not issued a gale warning or signal.

Quiblat also said that the suspension of sea trips could be lifted today, Sunday, if the weather conditions improve.

“Hopefully ugma (today) kay magkalayo na man gyud ni siya (Pepito). Kusog lang gyud siya nga bagyo bisan layo siya sa Cebu. Super typhoon man gud, niabot og 195 kilometers per hour ang iyahang kakusog,” he said.

Yesterday, Wind Signal No. 5 was hoisted in Catanduanes, as the state weather bureau on Saturday warned of a "potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation" in the northeastern Bicol region after Pepito further intensifie.