Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria directed the provincial government offices to prepare for the onslaught of Typhoon “Tino” (international name “Kalmaegi”), as it barrels toward the Visayas.
Adrian Sedillo, who heads the province’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), told the Philippine News Agency that the governor gave the directive in the morning, after the Emergency Operations Center was activated. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were also present in the briefing.
“Governor Sagarbarria ordered the prepositioning of goods, manpower, logistics and other resources in anticipation of Typhoon ‘Tino’ as it is expected to cut across the province on Tuesday,” Sedillo said.
Some areas in Negros Oriental were already under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.
Sagarbarria declared on Sunday the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools.
Sedillo said all DRRMO responders are already on standby, while rescue equipment and vehicles are ready also ready for deployment.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard ordered the suspension of all sea travel in Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Some shipping lines voluntarily canceled their trips late Sunday even before the TCWS release.
Initial data showed 91 stranded passengers, three vessels which sought shelter, and 34 rolling cargoes that were also stranded.
Commodore Christopher Auro, Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, told the Philippine News Agency, that they have been on red alert since October 30 for the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day observance.
“At present, we have 42 deployable response teams and 463 personnel that are already prepositioned in different areas and at four key stations in the NIR [Negros Island Region],” Auro said.
Lt. Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, said the passengers that were stranded at Tandayag port in Amlan were given provisions, while others have returned home.
She said Coast Guard personnel were distributing flyers and talking to coastal communities to warn them against going out to sea and possible storm surges.
On the other hand, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office has mobilized all personnel to assist in search-and-rescue operations.
Officer-in-charge Lt. Colonel Criscente Tiguelo said in a press conference that every police station has at least five SAR-trained personnel to take the lead during emergencies and standby officers for augmentation. (PNA)