ILOILO City — The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas has urged all incoming and outgoing tourists, as well as tourism stakeholders, to take precautionary measures as Super Typhoon Inday enhances the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing rains that could disrupt travel across the region even without making a direct landfall.
Super Typhoon Inday entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday, July 8.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said Inday is not expected to directly affect any part of the country but will enhance the southwest monsoon.
DOT Region 6 issued a public advisory calling on travelers to coordinate closely with local government units and tourism offices and to monitor weather updates to avoid inconvenience, delays, or becoming stranded as Habagat intensifies.
“All incoming and outgoing tourists and partner tourism stakeholders are advised to take precautionary measures and properly coordinate with the destination’s local government units (LGUs) and Tourism Offices,” part of the DOT-6 advisory stated.
The agency advised tourists to remain indoors whenever possible, avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, stay updated through official weather bulletins and reliable media, and regularly check with airlines, ferry operators, and tour providers for possible schedule changes.
DOT-6 also warned travelers to watch out for falling debris, avoid areas near large trees and buildings with glass facades, keep away from shorelines, and remain alert as weather conditions worsen.
Tourism stakeholders, meanwhile, were instructed to immediately report stranded tourists as well as any damage to tourism sites and facilities.
The regional tourism office further encouraged travelers to monitor advisories from authorized government agencies and maintain close coordination with hotels, resorts, airlines, ferry operators, and land transport companies to minimize travel disruptions.
For tourist-related emergencies, DOT-6 advised the public to contact its hotline, email, or access emergency contact information for Western Visayas provinces and highly urbanized cities through its official platforms.
PAGASA said the habagat is expected to bring cloudy skies and scattered rains over Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.
Palawan and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao may also experience isolated rain showers and thunderstorms due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Inday is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, July 11./PN
