Tropical Depression Luis forms in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Luis, the 12th cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year, will not directly affect the country’s weather condition as it treads northward.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical cyclone wind signals due to Luis are unlikely to be hoisted over any land area.

Luis was spotted 1,055 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph as it moved northwestward at 25 kph.

The tropical depression may intensify into a tropical storm and will exit the Philippine area of responsibility this morning or early afternoon.

The southwest monsoon and a low-pressure area east of Mindanao will affect parts of the country.

The low-pressure area was spotted 405 kms east-northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or 425 kms east of Borongan.

The low-pressure area will bring scattered rains over Caraga, Davao Oriental and Eastern Visayas.

Meanwhile, the monsoon will bring scattered rains over Occidental Mindoro and Palawan.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience isolated rainshowers due to the monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

Death toll now 10

Super Typhoon Karding’s death toll rose to 10 yesterday as the number of missing people also increased to eight.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said another fatality was logged in Bulacan, where five rescue workers died on Sunday.

The sixth fatality was recorded in the town of Baliwag.

Aside from three fatalities recorded in Zambales and Quezon province due to drowning, motorcycle accident and landslide, another victim was reported in Tanay, Rizal, the NDRRMC said.

Aside from five missing fishermen in Mercedes, Camarines Norte, two more persons in Antipolo, Rizal and another in Patnanungan, Quezon were added to the list of missing individuals.

Use of water

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda is pushing for the establishment of an agency that would handle the harvesting of water, noting the country has the largest amount of rain in the world per year.

Salceda said the agency’s function would include the rationalization of the use of water.

“We need to really integrate all our water agencies into one institution including the NIA, so we can rationalize the use of water and harvest water brought by typhoons,” Salceda said, referring to the National Irrigation Administration.

He said there is not one agency that people could ask concerning the construction of dam.

“Where will you go? MWSS? It’s just a concessionaire, the one that distributes (water),” he said, referring to the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System.

Salceda wants this water agency to be like the Department of Energy (DOE), which is responsible for preparing, integrating, coordinating, supervising and controlling all plans and programs of the government related to energy. – Michael Punongbayan, Sheila Crisostomo