Cebu prepares for the typhoon

CEBU, Philippines - Preemptive measures are already in place as the whole province prepares for the effects of super typhoon Yolanda to start kicking in today.

Yesterday, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III met with representatives of utility and telecommunication companies to determine their contingency plans. This as the Cebu City Council declared the city under a "state of preparedness."

During the meeting at the Provincial Capitol led by Davide and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Visayan Electric Company (VECO) Corporate Communications Manager Theresa Sederiosa said they have augmented emergency teams and have asked their employees to be on board today and on Friday to immediately address the concerns of their customers.

VECO supplies electricity to Cebu City and all cities and municipalities in the north up to the municipality of Lilo-an, and to the south up to the municipality of San Fernando.

She explained that one-third of the electricity they supply to Cebu is from the Unified Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte where the typhoon is expected to make a landfall.

If the strong winds and rain would damage the power plant in Leyte, Sederiosa explained that this would cut one-third of the power VECO supplies to Cebu, which would mean that rotational brownouts would be carried out by VECO. However, she said this would only happen if the Leyte power plant would be damaged, adding that VECO has other precautionary measures in place.

Sederiosa explained that their priority would be hospitals and other public establishments and agencies that attend to the public's needs before they restore power to residential areas.

All the stations of Cebu Electric Cooperative Inc. (CEBECO), that provides electricity to some municipalities and cities in the province, are also in place.

The power company has assured that even prior the typhoon warning, they already conducted clearing activities to make sure that branches of trees and other objects do not cross the path of their electric lines so electricity would not be cut amid strong winds and that the public's safety would be assured.

Korea Power Corporation (KEPCO), which provides power supply to Cebu as well, also said that they have ensured that their power lines are safe and reliable.

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) also assured that their contingency plans are in place to provide continuous supply of water to households and offices.

Further, telecommunication companies Smart, Sun, Globe and PLDT, have also guaranteed that they have secured their cell sites and have back-up plans like satellites and generator sets to ensure connectivity and telecom signals.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council head Neil Sanchez said that while they are concentrating on the northern town and cities, which reportedly would be mostly affected by the typhoon, the disaster management council is ready to respond to emergencies from any area in the province.

Metro Cebu

As the Cebu City Council yesterday declared the "state of preparedness," they also activated the barangay disaster councils to ensure coordination between the city government and barangay officials.

Councilor Dave Tumulak said the city government is particularly monitoring and securing coastal areas in the city like in Duljo, Fatima as well as Cogon Pardo, Inayawan, Basak Pardo, Sawang Calero, San Nicolas and Mambaling, which are protected by wave blockers at the South Road Properties.

Potential evacuation centers in the 80 barangays around the city have also been assessed which, according to Tumulak, should fit in the criteria of not having hazardous trees within the vicinity, presence of power lines, declared safe from geohazard, and water and toilet accessibility (see separate list of Cebu City evacuation centers).

In Talisay City, Mayor Johnny De los Reyes convened the disaster coordinating council to discuss contingency measures and reduce risks during disasters or calamities while in Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza ordered a preventive evacuation of residents living in coastal areas of the city and in island barangays.

"Nagpahimangno na ta sa mga barangay officials. Dili ta gusto na naa mangahitabo tungod wala ta ka advice sa mga katawhan" Radaza said.

In Consolacion town, schools and covered courts have been designated already as evacuation centers.

MGB

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 warned anew of the possibility of landslides and flooding all over the province particularly in 80 barangays all over the province.

In Cebu City, 19 barangays are highly susceptible to landslides, namely: Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.

Alburo further said that the assessment reveals that there are five barangays in Cebu City that are considered to be most hazardous to flooding, which are: Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, and Bonbon; and seven barangays in Mandaue City: Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo, and Pakna-an.

All mountain barangays in Talisay City are considered susceptible to landslides as well as six barangays in Naga City, namely; barangays Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad, and Cogon. 11 barangays in Balamban were also categorized under susceptible to landslides, namely; Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matun-og, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan.  

Other barangays that are considered to be prone to landslides are Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay and Don Andres Soriano of Toledo City; Lamac in Pinamungahan and Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Sak-sak of Asturias town.

In Catmon, 12 barangays were mapped to be very susceptible to landslides. These are Amancion,  Anapog, Bactas, Bongyas, ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Can-ibuang, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili and Tinabyonan as well as Brgy. Doldol, Purok 3 of Dumanjug and Cansalonoy in Ronda.

Security

While policemen are expected to help out in preventive measures and rescue operations, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac reminded his personnel to ensure the safety of their families first so that they can concentrate on helping other people.

 "Secure your families and belongings first to (be able to) concentrate in helping others," said Gillamac. "Lain man kaayo nga sige sila ug tabang unya ilang huna-huna kay tua sa ilang pamilya. Ang mahitabo they couldn't function well," he added.

Further, Police Regional Office-7 director Danilo Constantino said a red status alert will be raised in the entire Central Visayas as soon as the typhoon enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). — Jessa J. Agua, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Ria Mae Y. Booc, Niña G. Sumacot, Liv G. Campo, Flor Z. Perolina, Jose P. Sollano, Garry B. Lao/QSB