Tacloban starts evacuations for Hagupit Leyte, Philippines - This time, no one is taking any chances. Communities were evacuated, schools were suspended and a ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum was moved to Manila as areas along the path of what is believed to be another super typhoon began moving out of harm’s way yesterday. How to keep Super Typhoon Yolanda survivors still living in tents safe is another problem facing Tacloban City officials as a new, powerful cyclone threatens to bring giant waves ashore, possibly on the weekend. Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said about 500 families were still living in tents more than a year after waves up to 23 feet tall driven ashore by Yolanda (Haiyan) destroyed their homes. The 500 and some 3,000 other families housed in temporary shelters are the priority in case the city government orders a mandatory evacuation, he said. Residents of coastal villages and landslide-prone communities were told yesterday to move to designated evacuation areas, as Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) barreled toward the Visayas with winds of up to 140 kph and gusts of 170 kph. Hagupit is Filipino for lash or whip. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it is on red alert in anticipation of Ruby’s onslaught. “The red alert means we will have full manning at the operations center. All member agencies will send focal persons and representatives for the purpose of coordination,” NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, who also chairs the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, issued an executive order suspending classes today until Saturday at all levels in public and private schools as well as work in all government institutions, except those involved in relief and rescue operations. Classes at the University of the Philippines Visayas-Tacloban College will resume on Tuesday next week. More than half of the 7,350 deaths from Yolanda devastation were in Tacloban City. Ruby is hovering over Palau islands and is expected to pick up strength before hitting eastern Philippines on Saturday. “Definitely we will now strictly enforce forced evacuation,” said Yaokasin. “We have no more excuse, we have gone through Yolanda, and to lose that many lives, it’s beyond our conscience already.” As of yesterday afternoon, there was no indication that Ruby would be as strong or stronger than Yolanda, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio. But while Ruby is weaker than Yolanda’s 250 kph winds, it is expected to bring 3-4 meter high storm surges, topple houses made of light materials and uproot trees. He added there was a 75 percent chance the typhoon would hit land. “We are on a worst (case) scenario,” Landrico Dalida Jr., PAGASA deputy administrator, said, adding there was a 25 percent chance Ruby may veer north and miss the Philippines as it heads to Japan. But Aurelio said a high-pressure wall of air in the northern Pacific was preventing the typhoon from veering north. PAGASA spotted the center of the typhoon at 1,278 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 4 p.m. yesterday, packing winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. Hagupit was forecast to move west-northwest at 30 kph. Uneasy The likelihood of another super typhoon is causing fear and anguish among many Yolanda survivors in Samar. In Catbalogan City, Eduardo Morales, 52, who was busy fixing his house donated by a foreign donor when interviewed by The STAR, said the news of another typhoon coming rekindled terrifying memories of Yolanda. Michael Tarce, a high school teacher in Basey National High School, said he would encourage his students not to report to school if Ruby intensifies. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held an emergency meeting in preparation for another typhoon onslaught. Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said village leaders, rescuers and community coordinators were given fresh instructions regarding their respective tasks. “We’re doing preparations so we can keep our communities – especially those in low-lying areas – safe,” Uy-Tan said. City Social Welfare and Development Officer Nida Aroza briefed community officials of “preparations they should do” in case Ruby makes landfall. “We appeal to the residents to be evacuated to bring necessary materials such as bed sheets, proper clothing, food utensils, among other basic things they can use in the centers,” Aroza said. Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan convened the Samar Peace and Order Council for a reevaluation of provincial resources and medical capability. Yolanda survivors still living in tents and tarps in the towns of Marabut, Sta. Rita and Basey packed up yesterday and moved to higher ground even without being advised to do so. The same exodus was observed in Eastern Samar where churches and schools became instant evacuation centers. PNP on alert Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima directed regional commanders to prepare for possible rescue and disaster assistance operations in areas likely to be hit by Ruby. “I have already instructed the police regional directors of areas that may be affected by the incoming typhoon to make necessary preparations to ensure the safety of their constituents,” Purisima said. He said police officials would coordinate with the local government units in undertaking measures to ensure public safety. Purisima also reminded the police commanders to make available all personnel and equipment of the PNP for disaster response. Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II also instructed officials in Region 5, 7, 8, and CARAGA to strictly observe risk reduction measures. He also urged governors and mayors to convene the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as part of disaster-mitigating preparations. Standby funds At the Department of Budget and Management, Secretary Florencio Abad said government is ready to respond quickly and accordingly to possible typhoon devastation as it has standby funds amounting to P4.69 billion. “The departments are equipped with Quick Response Funds (QRFs), standby funds that they can access when emergencies or disasters occur. They can use these funds to mobilize resources and manpower to extend relief and immediate assistance to victims,” Abad said. Agencies with QRFs are the departments of agriculture, education, health, defense, social welfare and development, and transportation and communications. Since QRFs were released to the departments at the start of the year, the agencies have the capability to perform emergency response functions without having to go through tortuous conditions and processes during a disaster, Abad said. He said funds could also be drawn from the 2014 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and additional funds would be made available once the President signs into law the proposed 2015 national budget. At the House of Representatives, telecommunications companies were reminded of a law requiring them to send free mobile alerts in case of an approaching typhoon or calamity. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the authors of the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Law, issued the reminder in the light of threats from another strong typhoon. By Helen Flores, The Philippine Star Posted at 12/04/2014 8:17 AM | Updated as of 12/04/2014 8:17 AM
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:46:12 +0000
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