Cebu to have fine weather for the rest of the year

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas will have a fine weather this Christmas, with no other threats of any tropical depression or storm for the remaining days of 2023.

This, as Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged local government units (LGUs) to pass ordinances that would ban firecracker use and individual fireworks displays.

"Ako ay nananawagan na sana ay magkaroon ng lokal na ordinansa [banning fireworks display in communities]. Anyway, kaya namang i-celebrate ang Bagong Taon nang maayos [kahit walang paputok]," he said.

He also pushed for supervised fireworks displays in common spaces, like municipal town halls and other designated areas.

Abalos said this can help decrease fireworks-related accidents and untoward incidents during the holiday season.

In 2017, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 28, which imposed a nationwide ban on fireworks in households or places of residence, allowing only community fireworks displays supervised by licensed individuals.

Abalos urged LGUs to replicate the same measure, which is still being implemented by other local governments such as Davao City and Quezon City.

The objective of the ban, he said, is to minimize firecracker-related injuries in the coming New Year's Eve celebration.

"Nananawagan ako na sana ang mga LGUs magpasa ng firecracker ban gaya ng ginawa ng Davao at Quezon City… Ibig sabihin, 'yung mga pumuputok. Kasi nakita naman natin 'yung mga daliri napuputol, i-ban na natin totally 'yun," Abalos said.

During this year's New Year revelries, the Department of Health tallied 211 injuries related to fireworks, which were 30 percent lower than the five-year average of 300.

In Central Visayas, DOH-VII’s Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said they noted 83 cases of fireworks-related injuries in 2022.

These cases, she said, are mostly from Cebu province, Cebu City, Negros Oriental, and Lapu-Lapu City with the youngest victim at one-year old and the oldest at 65 years old.

Cañal echoed Abalos’ call for a safer Christmas and New Year celebrations.

No matter what, though, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 announced that it is ready to secure the Christmas holidays, especially Christmas eve.

The police are augmented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and other security organizations to ensure the security of the people, especially in malls, transport terminals, and other placed frequented by the public.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Anthony Aberin appealed for the people to cooperate in the security setup to ensure that everybody gets to celebrate a happy, safe, orderly, and peaceful Christmas.

On the fine weather for the rest of December, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Visayas Director Alfredo “Al” Quiblat, Jr. yesterday said that weather condition in the region has already improved after tropical storm Kabayan downgraded into just a low pressure area.

“Sa pagkakaron, wala nay gale warning in Central Visayas…. Starting today improved weather condition. And ugma, mas mayo pa gyud ang panahon hangtud na sa Pasko,” he said over the “Open Line” media forum aired over MyTV Cebu.

He, however, said that there would be moderate to strong winds, which may be dangerous to small sea vessels.

Based on the official website of the Department of Science and Technology-PAGASA tropical threat potential forecast, there is also no looming tropical cyclone or typhoon until the end of the year.

“Until December 31, wa tay nakitang likelihood of a tropical cyclone or bagyo entering the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility),” Quiblat said.

He said an on-and-off cold air can also be felt because it is already winter in mainland China.

“We are still experiencing the surge sa hanging Amihan…. Kaning hangina gikan ni sa mainland China kay start naman of their winter season,” added Quiblat.

With regards to the El Niño phenomenon, he said the public should remain ready, as its impact can worsen in the New Year, as the dry spell is expected to last until the second quarter of 2024. - /RHM (FREEMAN)