Nina strands thousands

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of stranded passengers prepared to spend Christmas Eve in the ports while thousands of residents celebrated Noche Buena in evacuation centers in the Bicol region yesterday as Typhoon Nina moved closer to the country.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, at least 5,723 passengers were stranded in different ports in Bicol and Eastern Visayas as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) prevented ships from operating because of rough sea conditions caused by the typhoon.

Passengers were stranded in ports in Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Camarines Sur and in Allen, Samar.

The provincial government of Bicol, meanwhile, evacuated residents in villages surrounding Mayon Volcano, coastlines and areas prone to landslide, flood and storm surge.

Disaster officials warned residents that two-meter high storm surges are expected.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised storm warning signals in 10 provinces yesterday.

Placed under Signal No. 1 are southern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island, Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said Nina is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes this evening, and will pass through the Bicol region and southern Luzon tomorrow.

The PCG headquarters deployed three additional m35 trucks, one small truck, 15 rubber boats and seven teams of special operations group to Bicol region yesterday afternoon.

“We already pre-positioned our land and water assets that would be mobilized as they are needed in any eventuality,” said Raffy Alejandro, director of Office of Civil Defense-Bicol.

Commodore Joel Garcia, officer-in-charge of PCG, said the PCG would also set aside either the BRP Tubbataha or the BRP Pampanga to transport relief goods to Bicol.

Garcia called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned organizations to bring relief goods for Bicol to the PCG headquarters.

“The DSWD could coordinate with our Action Center if they have relief goods to send to Bicol to bring them over to our office as soon as possible instead of waiting for the aftermath of the typhoon, wherein the delivery would be a day late,” he added.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Nina was located 480 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. It is moving west-northwest at the speed of 15 km per hour.

The typhoon is expected to be at the vicinity of Gumaca, Quezon tomorrow morning and at 200 km southwest of Iba, Zambales on Tuesday.

It was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

Nina slightly intensified and was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

PAGASA said the typhoon may further intensify before landfall, and then weaken as it barrels through landmass.

While not expected to reach super typhoon levels, the weather bureau reminded the public not to be complacent with the moderate to heavy rainfall that it would bring within its 400-km diameter.

In addition to Nina, other parts of the country are also expected to experience thunderstorms with isolated rainshowers due to the northeast monsoon.

“Cloudy skies with light rains is expected over the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon,” PAGASA said.

“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast to north over the Visayas,” it added.

Bracing for Nina

Nina is also expected to dump rains over areas of Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog region.

Since the typhoon is expected to hit Cavite and Metro Manila, Garcia said the PCG would leave 15 disaster teams in Manila to respond to floods and rescue operations.

The Angat Dam in Bulacan had also been releasing water in the last five days starting Dec. 20 to maintain its stability and drawdown the reservoir elevation to safe levels during the typhoon, the National Power Corp. said.

Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) advised airlines and airport officials that a runway closure in Ninoy Aquino International Airport could be implemented if Nina’s wind speed hits 50 knots.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said that in the event of runway closure, MIAA would suspend its daily runway maintenance works to give way to recovery flights.

CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco said that with the path of Typhoon Nina in Luzon, Clark airport is not an option for relocation or diversion. Airports down south, like those in Cebu and Puerto Princesa, can serve as evacuation sites for aircraft.

Free text alerts

Sen. Grace Poe, meanwhile, reminded telecommunications companies to send out text alerts to its subscribers to inform them about the coming storm and the precautions they need to take.

Poe, one of the authors of the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, has repeatedly called the attention of telcos to comply with the law after receiving feedback from the public that they are not receiving any text alert whenever there are storms.

“May I remind the telcos of their obligation under the law to send out message alerts to properly warn subscribers who live within the areas that will be affected by Typhoon Nina of the dangers and the precautions they need to take,” Poe said.

“Finally, I urge our people who might be affected to please heed the text alerts for their safety and well-being,” she added.

Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 211 seeking explanation from implementing agencies and telcos on possible lapses even if the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act and its implementing rules and regulations are already in place.?? 

Under the law, any telco that fails to observe the law will be fined P1 million to P10 million and/or face suspension or revocation of its legislative franchise.

Any person who gives false or misleading data or information or willfully or through gross negligence, conceals or falsifies a material fact, in any investigation, inquiry, study or other proceeding pursuant to the Act face imprisonment of two months to six months and a fine ranging from P1,000 to P10,000.

If the offender is a corporation, the penalties may range from a fine of P1 million to P10 million and/or face suspension or revocation of its legislative franchise and other permits and licenses issued by the National Telecommunications Commission. – Jaime Laude, Cet Dematera, Celso Amo, Rudy Santos, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Marvin Sy , Francis Elevado