ILOILO – As Tropical Storm “Tino” continues to gather strength and threatens to escalate into a typhoon within the next 24 hours, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas has issued an urgent call for residents to make early preparations and ensure their families are ready for potential impacts.
The storm, internationally known as “Kalmaegi”, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5:30 a.m. on November 2 as the country’s 20th tropical cyclone of 2025 and the first for the month.
It is forecast to intensify further and could make landfall in Eastern Visayas or Caraga on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning, November 4.
Before entering PAR, “Tino” was spotted more than 1,000 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, moving west-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour. Its maximum sustained winds increased from 65 km/h to 85 km/h, with gustiness reaching 105 km/h — placing it close to severe tropical storm strength.
In anticipation of heavy rains and possible flooding, OCD Region 6 emphasized that preparedness is the key to safeguarding lives and property.
The agency renewed its call for the public to assemble a family emergency “Go Bag” — a survival kit that contains essential items to sustain a household for at least 72 hours after a disaster.
“Don’t wait for disaster to happen — prepare your Go Bag now and protect what matters most,” OCD-6 said in a public statement.
According to the agency, the Go Bag should include non-perishable food good for three days, sealed containers of drinking water, a first aid kit with maintenance medicines, a flashlight with extra batteries, candles, matches, a whistle, and a battery-operated radio to monitor advisories.
Important documents must be secured in a waterproof container, while clothing, rain gear, blankets, sleeping mats, mobile chargers, and spare cash are also advised. Families with infants, elderly members, or persons with disabilities should include special needs items.
The OCD-6 also urged families to coordinate with their respective barangay officials about evacuation plans and to agree on a designated meeting point in case relocation becomes necessary.
As part of sustained readiness, families are reminded to check and replenish the contents of their Go Bags every three months to ensure their supplies remain usable and effective during emergencies.
OCD-6 reiterated its safety reminder: “Maging ligtas. Maging panatag, Pilipinas!” (Be safe. Be assured, Philippines!), underscoring that proactive preparation, not panic, will make the biggest difference when “Tino” strikes./PN
