NAGA IN STORM’S EYE

Coastal areas in many parts of Cebu were cleared of residents as local officials yesterday ordered a forced evacuation as tropical depression Basyang intensified into a storm.

Basyang (international code name: Kajiki), was expected to make landfall in Naga city , south Cebu by this morning.

Basyang, the second weather disturbance to hit the country this year, entered the Philippines, Thursday night.
It made landfall over Siargao Island last night.

The storm packed 85 kilometers per hour center winds and 100 kph gusts, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 7 p.m. bulletin.

Pagasa placed Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Samar and Camotes Islands under public storm signal No. 2, while Northern Samar, Biliran, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor were under signal No. 1.

Residents living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 were warned of possibile storm surges.
Oscar Tabada, head of the Pagasa in the Visayas, said coastal areas were no longer safe because of moderate to heavy rains. Sea conditions will be rough.

“We are expecting 5 to 15 millimiters of rainfall every hour causing moderate to heavy rains within the 400 kilometer diameter of the storm,” he said.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City disaster council, urged barangay captains to be ready because Basyang was expected to make landfall in Cebu today.

Tumulak said bulldozers and other earth-moving equipment were positioned in the mountain barangays for immediate response in case of emergencies such as landslides.
Six dump trucks and two ambulances are also on stand-by.

Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, commander of the AFP Central Command, said five amphibious trucks will be ready to assist in rescue and relief efforts.
Flooding is expected in various parts of Cebu City and neighboring areas because of the high tide Friday night.

The sea level was expected to rise 1.8 meters starting at 11:57 p.m. on Friday.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella ordered the activation of barangay disaster councils for barangay health centers to stay open 24 hours. The City Hall lobby was also being readied to accommodate travelers stranded by the bad weather.

Class suspensions

Labella ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools in Cebu City.
Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City did the same for elementary to high school in both public and private schools.

Gov. Hilario Davide III also suspended classes in all levels in the province.
LGU initiative

Neil Sanchez, head of Cebu’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said towns and cities were advised to order a preemptive evacuation depending on the situation in their areas.

Some fishermen took their boats to inland to avoid a possible storm surge.Heavy equipment were also pre-positioned in Camotes island.

“What we’re emphasizing here is, the LGU concerned should take the lead because they’re the first responders. We can only augment,” he told reporters.
Around 2,000 packs of rice and canned goods are ready for distribution at the Capitol’s warehouse.

In Naga City, all barangays have been alerted, said environment and pollution control officer Jose Ramiro Hilado.

Policemen were tasked to rove around barangays to inform the residents about the danger.
Evacuation centers were also prepared.

Naga City PIO Gary Cabotaje said residents in coastal areas and those living along and near riverbanks were being forcibly evacuated.

Travels halted

Flights from the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) bound for Surigao and Siargao were cancelled.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) grounded all ships that were scheduled to sail to Bohol, Leyte, Manila and other destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao.

At Cebu’s ports, the Coast Guard barred at least 16 vessels from sailing as of noon, PCG station commander Rodolfo Villajuan said.
Villajuan said 240 passengers remain stranded as of noon. He had reported earlier that 1,600 people were stranded in the ports.

He explained that most of the passengers returned to their homes after the cancellation of the trips.
Ferry crossings from Pier 3 in Cebu City to nearby Lapu-Lapu City remain normal, Villajuan said.

Sea travel out of Negros Occidental was also stopped starting 6 a.m. yesterday, leaving hundreds of passengers bound for Iloilo stranded. Two fast craft, however, were allowed by the Coast Guard to sail to Iloilo without any passengers to seek shelter from the approaching storm in the Iloilo River./with reports from Michelle Joy L. Padayhag, Fe Marie Dumaboc and Inquirer