ILOILO City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 has issued a warning to the public, particularly to those residing in landslide- and flood-prone areas of Western Visayas, to stay vigilant in anticipation of rains due to Tropical Depression Kabayan.
Fisherfolk, too have been advised against venturing into the sea.
The advisory followed a weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday that the provinces of Negros Occidental and Guimaras were under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.
Cindy Ferrer, OCD-6 information officer and spokesperson for the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), said that although PAGASA clarified the typhoon would not directly hit the region, Negros Occidental and Guimaras, along with the southern portion of the region, will still experience intermittent rains from Monday night until Tuesday.
“The rains are not expected to have a direct impact, but precautions are necessary,” Ferrer said.
OCD-6 urged residents to monitor weather updates.
“Those in vulnerable areas should be extra cautious and consider pre-emptive evacuation,” Ferrer added.
Ferrer also emphasized the importance of early preparation to prevent incidents such as drowning, which often occur during weather disturbances.
As of this writing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was searching for two fishermen from Banate, Iloilo who were reported missing since Sunday afternoon, Dec. 17.
They set out to fish in the waters of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental but failed to return.
OCD-6 is on blue alert status to ensure ongoing monitoring of weather conditions and coordination with local government units for any necessary response.
PAGASA forecasts an improvement in the region’s weather conditions by Wednesday, Dec. 20, following the departure of the tropical depression from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard Iloilo Station’s Commander Paterno Berlamino Jr. issued a sea travel advisory yesterday, canceling several trips due to the storm signal in Negros Occidental and Guimaras.
The canceled trips included those between Dumangas (Iloilo) and Bacolod City, Iloilo City and Bacolod City, Estancia (Iloilo) and Sagay City (Negros Occidental), Ajuy (Iloilo) and E.B. Magalona (Negros Occidental), and Iloilo to Cebu.
Restrictions on passenger and cargo capacities have been imposed to ensure safety.
Berlamino also reminded that RoRo vessels should not exceed 75 percent of their authorized cargo capacity as per the Maritime Industry Authority’s tonnage measurement certificate.
Fisherfolk and coastal communities were advised not to venture into the sea, and large sea vessels were alerted against big waves to prevent any incidents.
Earlier yesterday, OCD-6 also issued a general flood advisory for the region, expecting light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in the next 12 hours.
Watercourses in Capiz, Guimaras, Antique, Aklan, Negros Occidental, and Iloilo were likely to be affected. These were the following:
* Capiz – rivers and its tributaries particularly Panay, Mambusao, Panay Malinao, Alingon and Balantian
* Guimaras – all rivers and its tributaries
* Antique – rivers and its tributaries particularly Sibalom, Ipayo, Cagaranan, Palawan, Cairuan, Dalanas, and Tibiao
* Aklan – rivers and its tributaries particularly Ibajay, Aklan and Jalo
* Negros Occidental – rivers and its tributaries particularly Malogo, Sicab, Grande, Himogaan, Danao, Upper Tabanan Sipalay, and Lower Ilog.
* Iloilo – rivers and ita tributaries particularly Pinantan, Barotac, Akalaygan, Jalaud, Jalano, Jagdong, Jalaur, Lamunan, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom, and Guimbal
Kabayan Weakens Into LPA
“Kabayan weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) at 2:30 p.m. yesterday,” according to the state weather bureau.
PAGASA said the LPA “will continue to cross the rugged terrain of Mindanao, and emerge over the Sulu Sea between this afternoon and evening.”
However, it noted that “a slight improvement in the environmental conditions may allow this disturbance to reorganize and re-develop into a tropical depression.”
Following Kabayan’s weakening, PAGASA said it likewise lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in all areas nationwide.
The PCG also announced all sea trips resumed at 5 p.m. yesterday./PN
