Bracing for typhoon Hagupit
We are asked, once again, to brace ourselves for another strong typhoon. Named Hagupit and Ruby, this typhoon is expected to bring and cause so much rains, wind, and storm surges. How prepared are we all and as a nation for this pre-christmas typhoon?
Days ahead of the storm, alerts have been raised. Class suspensions have been decided and announced earlier. Emergency kits and emergency contacts have been posted, hopefully down to the barangay level as Barangay Luz in Cebe City did. For those who were not able to know about these crucial emergency information, allow us to share some of these with you here. For emergency numbers you may need in Cebu City, please remember these numbers: Cebu City Hall Command Center (253-0357), Cebu City Public Information Office (254-8632/253-4979), Cebu City Mobile Patrol Group (166), Cebu City Bureau of Fire Protection (160), Emergency Rescue Unit (161) and DRRM Cebu Province (255-0046). The following website: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/31242-prepare-disaster- kit?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral can help you with information about disaster kits.
We are happy and grateful to see preparations are evident on the local and national levels. Evacuation measures and places, as well as relief goods seem to be seriously being readied even before the arrival of the storm. Typhoon alerts are broadcasted on regular intervals. Finally, after simultaneous conflicting typhoon alerts from various international sources, national announcements of joint typhoon alerts are aired by Pagasa, a welcome step to clearly guide our people about the movement and other details about this potentially destructive typhoon.
Whether typhoon Hagupit proceeds towards Visayas or whether it veers away from the Philippines, it is still best for all to be ready. Better ready than sorry. We cannot afford to have any or more casualties again. We hope our preparations this time will be enough to shield and protect everyone in the path of the storm. Do please keep safe and calm, everyone!
While understandable, panic and stress observed especially among former disaster victims and communities will cause more confusion and inappropriate emergency response. While our hearts ache for and with these former disaster victims who have to be reminded once again about their traumatic experience last year, we also join them in this present stressful typhoon situation and pray that they and everyone else back home are spared the wrath of yet another possibly deadly typhoon. We pray for zero casualty and we pray for peace, strength and protection for all.
Which way Hagupit will finally take will be known soon. We join all calls for prayers and prayer brigades, such as the following: "Almighty Father, as typhoon Ruby nears, we plead for Your Mercy and pray that You spare our country and people further devastation and deaths from nature's wrath; we claim by faith You alone can calm this storm, in Jesus Mighty Name, AMEN!"
This is another time for us to unite together and show how we can show our care and support for one another. Please pause to check how you can help others near you who may be needing shelter and other items to survive this incoming typhoon.
While the term Hagupit evokes the possible fierceness of the coming typhoon, Ruby on the other hand can refer to possible treasure of support and care and unity that our people can display should the storm come with its might and rage. A gem amidst or with the fury, lessons to learn and implement from the past and perhaps more lessons to learn to be more resilient and protected in the future?
Dear God, please please spare our people and our country. Amen!
- Latest
