By: Emme Rose Santiagudo and Dolly Yasa
The cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, Western Visayas’ main urban centers, were under “blue alert” status in preparation for Typhoon “Tisoy” even as portions of the region were placed under Storm Signal No. 1.
As of Sunday afternoon, Storm Signal No. 1 (winds of 30 kilometers per hour to 60 km/h) was hoisted over the following areas of Region 6:
- Aklan
- Capiz
- Antique
- Iloilo
- Guimaras
*Northern portion of Negros Occidental (Bacolod City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, Escalante City, La Carlota City, Manapla, Murcia, Pulupandan, Sagay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, San Enrique, Silay City, Talisay City, Toboso, Valladolid, Victorias City)
According PAGASA, prevailing winds at 30-60 km/h are expected in the above-mentioned areas within 36 hours.
PAGASA- 6 Weather Specialist I, Ronaldo Naragdao said that the region especially areas that are under Signal No. 1 can expect light to moderate and at times heavy rains starting Monday morning up to Tuesday.
“Diri sa Western Visayas especially sa Northern part of Panay expect light to moderate and at times heavy rains starting Monday morning up to Tuesday,” he told Daily Guardian in a phone interview on Sunday.
With a maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, Tisoy is moving west at 25 kph and is forecasted to make landfall over Bicol Region between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, based on PAGASA’s monitoring.
According to Naragdao, it is impossible for Tisoy to make a landfall in the region unless it changes its tracks.
“Kon waay changes sa iya track,ma-cross siya dira sa Metro Manila kag Cavite asta mag-exit sa Laguna. Impossible maka-agi sa Region 6 unless manaog siya padulom,” he explained.
Based on the forecast of PAGASA, Naragdao said there are slim chances that Typhoon Tisoy will develop into a Super Typhoon.
Despite this, Naragdao said they are monitoring the areas in the region especially in the Northern Panay.
“Ang gina-monitor namon didto gid sa Northern Panay kay didto gid ang maulan-ulan sugod bwas sa aga.Ginaabisuhan gid naton ang mga residenteand mga gagmay nga baroto especially mga fishing boats nga kon pwede indi gid maglayag kay mabalod,” he added.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas also raised the Blue Alert effective 8 a.m. today, Dec 2.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Jerry Treñas on Sunday evening suspended classes today in pre-school and kindergarten levels, both in public and private schools.
BLUE ALERT
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order No. 148 on Friday, raising the blue alert level and activating the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center.
Activating the operations center will provide command, control, coordination, and communication in preparation for Typhoon Tisoy (international name “Kammuri”).
“Typhoon Kammuri is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either Saturday or Sunday. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) continues to monitor weather updates and members of the Regional Clusters are on stand-by for emergency,” Treñas said in his order.
Weather bureau PAG-ASA reported on Sunday that Tisoy will make landfall in Bicol region today, Dec 2.
Under the “blue alert status,” all key agencies are required to report updates to the command center for fast coordination and close monitoring.
Based on the Tropical Cyclone Advisory 4 of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) issued on Friday, Tisoy has gained more strength while moving slowly northwestward.
Based on the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of PAG-ASA, Typhoon Tisoy was last spotted 705 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts at 170 kph. It is moving west at 25 kph.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia also raised the “blue alert” status over the weekend.
In a memorandum, Leonardia directed the Bacolod CDRRMO, barangay officials, and other allied agencies to prepare for the storm’s onslaught.
Leonardia said precautionary measures should be taken as the typhoon could cause flooding, landslides, storm surges, and accidents that could endanger lives and property.
Contingency plans should be in place such as the identification of possible evacuation centers, and the preparation of rescue equipment, personnel, food, and medicine.
The CDRRMO was also tasked to closely monitor the typhoon and coordinate with the involved national agencies and PAG-ASA.
The Philippine Coast Guard has automatically suspended sea trips in the said areas.
The provincial government, meanwhile, had already placed its personnel on blue alert last week in accordance the orders issued by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
