Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) in Philippines

Telco giant Globe has completed network service repairs in municipalities of Anda, Dauis, Loon and Panglao in Bohol, San Fernando in Cebu, and Baybay, Albuera in Leyte, and Limasawa in Southern Leyte.

Services in Mindanao's Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte have also been restored as of January 4.

Globe says it has equipped local government units affected by Super Typhoon Odette with an M360 platform, used to send SMS updates to their offices and constituencies. "Palawan, Southern Leyte, and Cebu municipalities Naga, Cordova and the city of Mandaue, were among the first to avail of this free service," the telco says in a release.

The Technical Education and Skils Development Authority in the Cordillera is sending 19 trainers to Bohol, one of the provinces that was hit hard by Super Typhoon Odette last December.

The trainers will help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the province by giving skills training to Boholanons.

TESDA Cordillera, along with the TESDA  in the Ilocos region, will be giving free training,  particularly on construction-related courses.  The training will help in the rebuilding homes and other structures destroyed by the strongest typhoon that visited the country since Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The trainers are from the Provincial Training Centers of TESDA Kalinga, TESDA Mountain Province, TESDA Abra, TESDA Apayao, and TESDA Ifugao.  There are four trainers for Electrical Installation and Maintenance, nine trainers for Carpentry, and six trainers  for Masonry. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and other regional goverment offices in SOCCSKSARGEN has sent relief supplies for typhoon-stricken areas in the Caraga Region.

The supplies were transported in a 24-vehicle convoy that included dump trucks.

The humanitarian mission is a joint initiative of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Regional Task Force on COVID-19.

The convoy on Tuesday follows an initial shipment of relief supplies to the Caraga Region that the DILG regional office initiated.

The provisions — clothings, food rations and hygiene kits — were received by DILG personnel in the Caraga region. — The STAR/John Unson

Total agriculture damage from Typhoon Odette is at P5.79 billion and counting, Agriculture Secretary William Dar says.

More than 70,000 hectares of agricultural land were affected.

Meanwhile, more than 506,000 houses were damaged by the super typhoon and may reach up to 600,000, Housing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario says.

The death toll from one of the most destructive typhoons to hit the Philippines in recent years rose to 388 on Monday, the government said, as disease outbreaks threatened some of the stricken areas.

Typhoon Rai struck the south and center of the Philippines on December 16 and 17, toppling power lines and trees and unleashing deadly floods that also left hundreds of thousands homeless.

The civil defense office in Manila raised the death toll from Rai to 388 with 60 others missing and hundreds injured. Police previously put the death toll at 375.

Civil defence officials said more than four million people were receiving typhoon aid in 430 cities and towns where about 482,000 houses were damaged or destroyed.

More than 300,000 people remain in evacuation camps, with more than 200,000 others sheltering in the homes of relatives or friends. — AFP

The death toll from one of the most destructive typhoons to hit the Philippines in recent years rose to 388 on Monday, the government said, as disease outbreaks threatened some of the stricken areas.

Typhoon Rai struck the south and centre of the Asian nation on December 16 and 17, toppling power lines and trees and unleashing deadly floods that also left hundreds of thousands homeless.

The civil defence office in Manila raised the death toll from Rai to 388 with 60 others missing and hundreds injured. Police previously put the death toll at 375. — AFP

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will provide financial assistance to support humanitarian relief operations for those devastated by Typhoon Odette in the Philippines.

“In response to this natural disaster, Canada is providing financial assistance - including through the Red Cross, which will help address immediate needs on the ground, such as water and sanitation. In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll continue to help those who need it most," Trudeau says via Twitter.

International Development Minister Sajjan announces that Canada will commit up to P120 million ($3 million Canadian dollars), of which P20 million ($500,000) will be provided to the Red Rross.

The US government will provide P10 million ($200,000) in assistance to communities affected by Typhoon Odette, the US Embassy says.

The US Agency for International Development partners with Action Against Hunger to provide food, water, hygiene supplies, and other relief items to people affected by the typhoon in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.

"We are committed to working alongside our friends and partners to provide emergency supplies and recovery assistance," US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava says.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III calls on President Duterte to declare a price freeze on basic necessities in the areas hit by Super Typhoon Odette last week.

"Sa panahon ng krisis, hindi nawawala ang mga abusadong mangangalakal na nagagawa pang magtaas ng presyo ng mga basic commodities tulad ng bigas at potable water sa kabila ng paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga pamilyang apektado ng anumang kalamidad," Sotto says in a statement. He is running for vice president next year.

The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines is calling on the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to declare an academic ease because of the widespread damage caused by Super Typhoon Odette.

"SCAP, along with its signatories, presses CHED and DepEd to consider the most beneficial and proactive step to help the students affected by the storm by mandating public and private schools to suspend classes, deadlines, and academic requirements," it says in a release.

The typhoon destroyed infrastructure and many areas lost power and access to telecommunications. SCAP pointed out that the situation has made it difficult for students to attend online classes or submit academic requirements.

"Their situation is not a question of discipline, it’s a matter of privilege that the broad studentry does not have. In these trying times, they need compassion, not pressure. They need help, not punishment if they cannot comply." SCAP national chairperson Ken Paolo Gilo said.

The Philippine Navy is bringing at least 7,000 boxes of food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office in Zamboanga City to Siargao in Surigao del Norte.

Each food pack contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of tuna, four cans of corned beef, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee and five sachets of cereal.

The relief packs were loaded aboard BRP Ivatan, a Landing Craft Ship (LCS), that left Ensign Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon at Monday dawn, said Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

Adaci said they immediately mobilized the Ivatan to transport relief and food packs to Siargao, one of the areas worst hit by Typhoon Odette last week.

The navy vessel transporting the relief packs is expected to arrive in Siargao Island on Wednesday morning. — The STAR/Roel Pareño

The provinces of Samar, Cebu and Leyte have been "successfully energized", the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said after it implemented an "alternative power restoration scheme."

According to a report by The STAR, NGCP is still assessing the extent of the damage in Leyte, Negros, and Bohol, where 12 towers and 462 transmission structures have so far been found damaged.

The Philippine National Police says the death toll from Typhoon Odette has reached 208. — AFP

PAGASA says Typhoon Odette intensifies further as it continues to move westward over the West Philippine Sea.

The center of the eye of the typhoon was spotted over the coastal waters of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan.

PAGASA says that Typhoon Odette slightly intensifies as it endangers the Kalayaan Islands.

The death toll from Typhoon Odette has risen to 18 as the disaster agency warns Saturday of "severe damage" in the hardest-hit areas.

More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Rai ravaged the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in many areas and toppling concrete power poles. — AFP

Typhoon Odette maintains its strength and is now threatening the Kalayaan Islands.

Typhoon Odette slightly weakens and has made landfall over Roxas, Palawan, PAGASA says. 

PAGASA reports that Typhoon Odette maintains its strength while approaching Palawan.

PAGASA says Odette continues to traverse the Sulu Sea while moving westward towards Palawan.

The center of the eye of typhoon was spotted 90  kilometers south southwest of Cuyo, Palawan.

Typhoon Odette has made it its third landfall in the vicinity of Liloan, Panaon Island in Southern Leyte.

State weather bureau PAGASA says the typhoon made its third landfall at around 4:50 p.m.

The Philippine Coast Guard ordered the cancellation of sea travels of all boats with Zamboanga-Visayas-Manila routes as Typhoon Odette will be hitting the Central Visayas and parts of northern Mindanao.

The PCG, in a directive issued to the Zamboanga City Coastguard Station, the cancellation of the trips took effect 12 noon Wednesday. — The STAR/Roel Pareño

PAGASA reports that Typhoon Odette has made a landfall over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

PAGASA has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 in some areas of Visayas and Mindanao where "very destructive typhoon-force winds prevailing or expected within 12 hours". 

Visayas

• Southern Leyte
• Eastern portion of Bohol (Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Jagna, Garcia Hernandez, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Mabini, Ubay, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido) 

Mindanao

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands

Read the full bulletin here

PAGASA says Typhoon Odette intensifies further as it endangers the Bucas Grande-Siargao Islands and Dinagat Islands.

The center of the eye of Odette was spotted 175 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving west northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour.

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center, gustiness of up to 230 kph, and central pressure of 940 hectopascal.

Signal No. 2 is up in several areas in Visayas and Mindanao as Typhoon Odette further intensifies.

At 4 p.m., Odette was located 485 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with winds of 130 kph and gusts of up to 160 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signals are hoisted over:

Signal No. 2

• southern portion of Eastern Samar (City of Borongan, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan)
• southern portion of Samar (Basey, Marabut, Santa Rita)
• Southern Leyte
• central and southern portions of Leyte (Ormoc City, Jaro, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Palo, Santa Fe, Pastrana, Tanauan, Dagami, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Julita, Dulag, Burauen, Albuera, City of Baybay, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Babatngon)
• Camotes Islands
• eastern portion of Bohol (Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Sierra Bullones, Dagohoy, Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Pilar, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Mabini, Ubay, Bien Unido, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Dinagat Islands
• Agusan del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• northeastern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, Malitbog)
• eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Villanueva, Jasaan, Claveria, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Salay, Medina, Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Binuangan)
• Camiguin

Signal No. 1

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
• southern portion of Quezon (Guinayangan, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Buenavista, San Narciso, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres)
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro (City of Calapan, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao)
• central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay)
• northern portion of Palawan (Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, El Nido, Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands)
• Northern Samar
• rest of Eastern Samar
• rest of Samar
• Biliran
• rest of Leyte
• rest of Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Antique
• Capiz
• Aklan
• northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel)
• northern portion of Davao de Oro (Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, Laak), the northern portion of Davao del Norte (San Isidro, Kapalong)
• northwestern and central portions of Bukidnon (City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, City of Valencia, Lantapan, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich)
• rest of Misamis Oriental
• Misamis Occidental
• northern portion of Lanao del Norte (Iligan City, Tagoloan, Pantar, Baloi, Matungao, Linamon, Kauswagan, Poona Piagapo, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, Munai)
• northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur (Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Josefina)
• northwestern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Rizal, Sibutad, Siayan, Sindangan, Bacungan, Salug, Godod, Liloy)
• northern portion of Lanao del Sur (Tagoloan II, Kapai, Bubong)

Severe tropical storm Odette slightly intensifies as it nears typhoon category in strength, according to PAGASA.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Odette was found at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

It has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 135 kph, and central pressure of 980 hectoPascals.

PAGASA says severe tropical storm Rai entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at around 7 p.m. Tuesday. It was assigned the local name Odette.