By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Northern Negros Occidental said yesterday they could issue sea travel suspensions if the weather deteriorates due to Super Typhoon “Mawar” (international name).
PCG-NegOcc commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said they could still bar sea vessels from sailing if they deem it is too risky, even if the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), will not raise storm warnings for the province.
Pagasa said “Mawar” will be given the local name “Betty” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and will not make landfalls.
However, Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, will still experience rough seas and heavy rains, it said.
Mercurio said the declaration of sea trip suspensions was based on Memorandum Circular No. 139 issued by the Maritime Industry Authority, on the guidelines on movement of vessels during typhoons and adverse weather conditions.
“Kung makita namon nga pwerte kabalod, pwerte ang ulan, kag pwerte ang hangin, it is the prerogative of the PCG in the line of its safety mandate na pwede namun i-suspend [ang biyahe] until maglapas ang lain tiyempo,” Mercurio explained.
Sea trips may resume operations once the weather situation improves.
He also advised fisherfolks not to venture out into the sea if the weather deteriorates.
Meanwhile, Mercurio said the PCG-NegOcc is now on heightened alert status in preparation for the upcoming storm.
He said they had already prepositioned their assets and told substation commanders that they must mobilize personnel and assets upon receiving the call within 10 minutes.
He also advised those traveling for leisure purposes to cancel plans and prioritize their own safety.
Earlier, local government units convened their respective disaster risk reduction management offices to review their pre-disaster readiness assessment emergency preparedness.
Village officials were likewise advised to prepare response teams, evacuation centers, transportation, and logistics.
Based on a weather bulletin issued by Pagasa at 3:00 p.m. yesterday, “Mawar” was last spotted 1,725 kilometers east of Central Luzon, outside PAR.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 265 kph.
The storm is moving westward at 25 kph.
The weather disturbance was forecast to enter PAR yesterday or this morning, May 27.
Pagasa said in a briefing yesterday that Typhoon Wind Signal No. 2 to 3 could be raised in some areas while “Mawar” makes a close passage to the islands./DGB, WDJ