Northern towns on alert due to Auring

CEBU, Philippines —  Some northern Cebu towns are on alert status beginning today as they start preparing for the possible effects of tropical storm Auring this weekend.

Local disaster risk reduction and management councils convened yesterday to discuss preventive measures and other preparations.  

The local government of Daanbantayan announced on Facebook that the town will be on red alert status starting today.

"The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in an emergency meeting held earlier today (Febuary 19, 2021), has instructed barangay officials to convene their respective Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) and if the need arises, to carry out preemptive evacuation for residents in high-risk locations, low-lying and flood-prone areas, coastal zones, and whose houses are made of light materials" the post reads.

The town has also identified schools to be utilized as evacuation centers. Equipment and rescue vehicles are now on standby in case an emergency arises.

In Bantayan town, a command center will be set up at the multi-purpose hall with the necessary equipment and reserve fuel on standby.

 All emergency responders from the barangays to the municipal level, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, PNP and Philippine Coast Guard are also on high alert.

 Barangay captains are called to ensure their residents are in safe places and if necessary impose a pre-emptive evacuation of residents living along the coastline and those with houses made of light materials. They are urged to be at the evacuation centers on Sunday morning.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development office was directed to prepare relief assistance for the evacuees. The other towns and component cities in the northern Cebu are also expected to raise their alert status within the day.

In Cebu City, Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city has made its preparations for the incoming tropical storm.

The mayor met with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO), Councilor David Tumulak, and City Administrator Floro Casas Jr. yesterday to discuss the city’s preparations.

He said it is important that hotline numbers are available 24 hours so that the public can immediately call and ask assistance in case of any emergency in connection with the typhoon would occur.

The mayor instructed that the city’s approach should be zero-casualty. These are the city’s emergency hotlines are 0947-178-0000 / 0947-178-9999; 0932-537-7770 / 0923-524-8222; and (032) 262-1424/166.

The CCDRRMO Command Center in Barangay Mambaling will be the one to answer the calls of the residents.

The CCDRRMO is also setting up a command post in City Hall that will closely monitor the typhoon’s movement this weekend.

Labella has advised the residents to be vigilant and be prepared for the typhoon.

“I advise sa atong mga residente nga magmahimatngunon gayod kay di man ta katag-an labi na sa mga areas nga landslide-prone. Unya, timan-i gyud ninyo ang atong mga emergency hotline numbers kay andam gyud sila nga motubag dayon sa inyong panawagan,” said Labella.

Auring was last spotted at 405 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It has a maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kilometers per hour. It is westward at 15 kilometers per hour. — Mary Ruth R. Malinao, FPL (FREEMAN)