Agencies, utility firm brace for entry of super typhoon

CEBU, Philippines —  In preparation of the arrival of a supertyphoon that is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between tonight or tomorrow morning, the Visayan Electric has activated their contingency plans.

Quennie Sanchez-Bronce, head of Visayan Electric’s Reputation Enhancement Department said they have also conducted trimming activities, checking of poles and lines.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7, for its part, has placed its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) on standby and monitoring their areas of responsibility in collaboration with the local government units.

As of yesterday, the DSWD-7 has 45,003 family food packs (FFP) worth P26,627,368. It has other food and non-food items (FNIs) worth P54,040,440.24 and standby funds of P2,215,658.24.

The field office has available raw materials that can produce 5,091 FFPS worth P9.7 million. There is also 7,378 ready-to-eat food (RTE) worth P246,817. A total of 5,000 gallons (10 liters) of bottled water, amounting to P433,750, are available. Delivery of raw materials worth P2,249,425 is also ongoing.

“The DSWD-7 has already prepositioned FFPs in strategic locations across all regions as part of its regular disaster response efforts," said DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero.

The DSWD-7 has also prepositioned 4,100 FFPs and 2,310 NFIs in Bohol, covering 13 LGUs; 7,373 FFPs and 927 NFIs goods in Negros Oriental, covering 11 LGUs; 12,535 FFPs and 2,400 NFIs in Cebu, covering 23 LGUs; and 250 FFPs in Siquijor, covering 1 LGU.

In total, the DSWD-7 has prepositioned 24,258 FFPs in 48 local government units in the region. It has 20,745 FFPs on hand at the warehouses, with the following breakdown: 14,197 FFPs at the regional warehouse; 1,648 FFPs at the Bohol warehouse; and 4,900 at the Negros Oriental Warehouse.

The Cebu Port Authority has already put in place various measures to prevent casualties, property damage and ensure speedy resumption of port operations.

Among the measures the CPA has put in place includes round the clock monitoring of all ongoing port operations in all ports in Cebu Province; activation of CPA Incident Command System; and all port managers and harbor masters were directed to perform their oversight functions over berth and anchorage areas that will involve movement of vessels, if necessary, in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard.

Also, all port managers and private port owners were directed to conduct emergency inspection of port facilities to identify vulnerable areas for immediate reinforcement or retrofitting, to fix or secure loose objects that might become flying fragments during the onslaught of the typhoon; conduct of emergency meeting with all cargo handling service providers; and timely reporting of any observed issues and concerns for corrective action.

“No cancellation of sea voyages in relation to the typhoon has so far been made as of this time,” CPA said yesterday.

It added that in case that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised, CPA shall immediately issue notice to all ports to observe and implement the following precautionary measures which includes Verification of Status of Vessel Voyage and Shipment; all stranded passengers who cannot return to their respective residences shall be preemptively evacuated from the ports or port facilities to the nearest government evacuation centers to ensure their safety; and activation of Fire Brigade or Emergency Response Team (ERT) of all port  stakeholders.

It added that no persons or vehicles will be allowed to enter the port premises unless for emergency cases; removal of unattended loaded chassis parked and other motor vehicles at the port premises, particularly at the road/road side which can topple down and flip-over at the roadside during the onslaught of a tropical cyclone resulting to lingering road obstructions that will hamper emergency response and recovery operations; and removal of advertisement billboards.

In case that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is raised, CPA shall immediately issue notice to all ports to observe and implement the following precautionary measures:

All precautionary measures in TCWS No.1 shall be continually applied; all cargo handling operations at the anchorage is automatically suspended; all loading/discharging of containers and other cargoes to/from vessels is automatically suspended; stacking of loaded containers shall be at three (3) high or less if deemed necessary; stacking of containers loaded with dangerous goods shall be at two high or less if deemed necessary; stacking of ISO Tank Container filled with hazardous liquids shall be at one high; stacking of empty container shall be also at one high; and all piers, slips, wharves, anchorage areas, and other facilities shall be cleared from all vessels.

In case that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 or higher is raised, CPA shall immediately issue notice to all ports to observe and implement all precautionary measures in TCWS No.2; maintenance of skeletal work force; mandatory evacuation of non-skeletal workforce; closure of ports and port facilities for security and safety reasons, all port gates shall be closed.

It added that only skeletal workforce and their respective motor vehicles and emergency responders' vehicles are allowed entry and exit.

It further said that for cancellation of trips and other port advisories, CPA will provide timely updates thru the CPA Office Facebook Page. — GAN (FREEMAN)