Bucao orders closure of Manipis Road due to TS #AuringPH

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MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Talisay City residents have been asked to stay indoors as a precaution against any eventualities that may result from Tropical Storm Auring.

Acting Mayor Alan Bucao also ordered the closure of the Manipis Road starting at midnight on Sunday, February 21, and until further notice.

“The Manipis Road shall be closed starting 12 midnight (February 21, 2021) as the area is prone from landslides and to protect motorists from untoward incidents,” Bucao said in an advisory which he issued Saturday night, February 20.

At least four barangays – Lagtang, Jaclupan, Campo 4, Manipis – uses the Manipiis Road for access to the city proper.

Bucao has also asked the city’s fisherfolks to refrain from going out into the sea.

At 3 a.m. on Sunday, February 21, the center of Tropical Storm Auring (Dujuan) was estimated at 395 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hours near the center and gustiness of up to 85 km/h. #AuringPH is moving west northwest at 15 km/h.

Alvin Santillana, head of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), wrote to Bucao on Saturday to recommend the closure of the mountain road.

“This recommendation is initiated in order to mitigate untoward incident that may cause injury or even death due to the occurrence of falling debris along the slopes of Manipis which may be  attributed to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm “Auring”,” his letter reads.

Santillana said that he already coordinated with his counterparts from the neighboring localities of Toledo, Naga and Minglanilla as well as the Manipis barangay officials asking them to inform their constituents to use the Naga Uling Road as an alternative road.

A copy of Santillana’s letter was also sent to Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas who is still recovering from his infection.

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Following the receipt of Santillana’s recommendation, Bucao immediately issued his advisory on the closure of the Manipis Road.

Bucao also asked residents of the coastal barangays of Biasong, Cansojong, Dumlog, Poblacion, Pooc, San Roque, and Tangke to prepare “from strong winds and waves that might affect their homes.”

“Furthermore, the Local Barangays are advised to be on alert and on emergency responsiveness as first responders in case of any eventualities,” he said.