Heavy rains seen as 'Helen' makes landfall today

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau yesterday advised the public in Northern Luzon to brace for heavy rains and strong winds as tropical storm “Helen” is expected to make landfall in Cagayan this morning.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), reported that Helen has already claimed one life after a man drowned in Pangasinan.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal number 2 was raised over Cagayan, including the Calayan and Babuyan group of islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra and the Batanes group of islands.

Signal no. 1 was up in Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, La Union and Ilocos Sur.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather division chief Robert Sawi said stormy weather – heavy rains and gusty winds – was expected over Northern Luzon last night.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Helen was spotted at 230 kilometers east southeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph.

Helen was forecast to move northwest at 13 kph and is expected to bring 20 to 35 mm per hour of rain within its 500-km radius.

“It was moving almost westward and is expected to hit Cagayan area Wednesday morning,” Sawi said in a press briefing earlier in the day.

PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez said a high-pressure area north of the country was preventing Helen from moving northward.

“Once the high pressure area moves, Helen will move northward,” Perez told reporters.

Sawi said Helen has slightly intensified yesterday. However, it has a slim chance of intensifying into a typhoon, he said.

PAGASA also issued a Yellow Warning Signal at 6 p.m. yesterday even as moderate to heavy rains is expected to prevail over Metro Manila, which is likely to continue for the next three hours.

The agency also warned of possible flooding in low-lying areas and areas located near rivers and creeks.

People are advised to monitor the weather condition and be alert for the next warnings.

Meanwhile, six major dams in Luzon continued to release water yesterday in anticipation of the rains to be brought by the weather disturbance.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Angat and Ipo dams in Bulacan have opened three and four gates, respectively.

According to a report, the water released last Monday afternoon has already reached the still-flooded towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy early Tuesday morning. The latest water discharge from the two dams will reach Calumpit and Hagonoy within nine hours, the report said.

The dams in Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet, on the other hand, have opened one and three gates, respectively.

The Magat dam in Isabela has also opened two gates.

“So far there were no reports of flooding due to the release of water of dams,” NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said.

Ramos also warned fishermen in Northern Luzon and Bicol not to venture into the sea due to big waves brought by the storm.

“I request all mayors and barangay captains to help us in controlling the fishermen in their areas,” he said.

Ramos also advised people who are planning to travel to Cagayan – particularly the northern portion of the province – to postpone their travel due to threats of landslides.

Sawi said Helen will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains over Luzon and the Visayas, particularly the western section.

He said rains are expected over the western section of Central and Southern Luzon, including Mindoro, Bataan Batanga, Zambales, Ilocos region, La Union and some parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Helen is predicted to be 180 km north of Tuguegarao City or 70 km north of Aparri, Cagayan this afternoon and 380 km northwest of Aparri or 300 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes by tomorrow afternoon.

By Thursday morning Helen is expected to move south of Taiwan and leave the Philippine area of responsibility in the evening.

The expected weather condition has moved Cebu Pacific to cancel their six flights from Manila to Caticlan and two flights from Manila to Tuguegarao.

Airphil Express also cancelled their nine flights from Manila to Caticlan.

PNP, AFP on standby

NDRRMC reported that Armando Borbon, 37, died of drowning in Pangasinan last Monday after falling in a flooded rice field.

The victim reportedly experienced epileptic seizure before the incident happened.

One person was reported missing in San Fernando, La Union.

NDRRMC said Bonifacio Cabilan went fishing in the coastal waters of barangay Carlatan last Monday but failed to return home.

The agency has been placed on red alert and is continuously monitoring the situation in areas that lie along the expected path of the storm. It has also ordered its regional units to undertake precautionary measures and to initiate preemptive evacuation of residents in low-lying and mountainous areas if needed.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas,” NDRRMC said.

The military has alerted its field units and has pre-positioned some of its assets for possible rescue operations.

The Army’s 902nd Infantry Brigade in Bicol has pre-positioned three disaster response task units and 16 military trucks.

The Air Force tactical Operations Group 5 has also readied a disaster response unit composed of seven enlisted personnel and a carrier truck.

The Air Force Tactical Operations Group and the Philippine Military Academy Disaster Response Task Group have been placed on alert.

NDRRMC said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has also activated its disaster response plan “Oplan Saklolo” to respond to affected residents.

Police personnel in Bicol have placed on standby two teams, one truck and two patrol cars for possible deployment.

Calamity loans

Meanwhile, the Social Security System (SSS) is offering a calamity package to help members cope with losses brought about by heavy rains and flooding.

The package offers early release of pensions, eased-down loan terms, and an extended payment period.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said the package covers members in calamity areas officially declared by the NDRRMC.

These areas include the cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region; Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales and Bulacan in Region III; Laguna in Region IV-A; Culion, El Nido and Linacapan in Palawan in Region IV-B; and other areas which may be declared by the NDRRMC.

The package includes a three-month advance in pensions for pensioners residing in declared calamity areas.

Those who apply on or before Aug. 31, 2012 will get their October, November and December pensions, while those who apply after Aug. 31 until Sept. 30, 2012, will receive their November, December and January 2013 pensions.

Applicants must submit a certification of residence coming from their barangay chairman.

Retirement, disability and survivor pensioners who applied for advance release of pensions will get their pensions through checks. However, the 13th month pension will still be given in December.

Employed, self-employed and voluntary members affected by the floods can apply for an SSS Salary Loan, as long as they have at least 36 months’ contributions, including six monthly premiums paid within the twelve-month period prior to loan application.

Members with at least 72 months contributions are eligible for the two-month salary loan.

For those with existing salary loans, the SSS opened the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) to enable members to renew their loan ahead of the prescribed two-year period.

The SLERP is open for application until Sept. 30.

“The sanctions imposed under the current Loan Penalty Condonation Program will be lifted and the loan’s service fee of one percent will be waived,” the SSS chief executive pointed out.

The interest rates of the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loans was lowered by two percentage points, which is applicable for members whose homes were damaged by the floods.

Under the calamity relief package, the applicable interest rate will be six percent per annum for loans of P400,000 and below, and seven percent for loans over P400,000 up to P1 million.

“Since it takes time to put together the required documents, members have until June 30, 2013 to avail of the Direct House Repair Loan,” he added.

The government pension fund also extended the payment deadline to Aug. 15 for members in affected areas whose cut-off date for contributions and loan amortizations falls within Aug. 7 to 14.

The extended deadline applies to all members whose 10-digit SS number ends with “1” or “2.” – Alexis Romero, Ted Torres, Ric Sapnu, Rudy Santos, Ed Amoroso, Ding Cervantes, Raymund Catindig