PHL withdraws over 1m, suspends phase and GoV’ is inactive as suspect threatens bicol
The Philippine government issued an earlier warning of about 1.18 million people as a super typhoon-wong, in the area called uwan, intensified on Sunday, putting catandines and nearby areas under signal No. 5.
As of 4 pm, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that the government has previously evacuated 1.18 million people, mainly from the Bicol region (671,254), Eastern Visayas (259,145) and Calabarzon (95,665). Some of the miners came from the Cordillera Administrative Region (Car), Ilocos Region, Cougayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cerabarzon, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region and Negros Island Region and Cegros Island Region and Cegros Island Region and Cegros Island Region.
“In Region 5, they are currently experiencing strong winds with heavy rain, especially in Camarines Norte, Camay Administros Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said on Facebook, Sunday.
“All provinces are without power, except Sorsogon, as of 3 PM”
Mr. Alejandro said the OCD received reports from the Bicol region of one injury due to drowning. He stated that this has yet to be confirmed.
The State Weather Bureau reported that Uwan continues to bring “life-threatening conditions” over the camandines, urging them to raise the star part of Camandines Norte and the part of Mortarines.
It also applies to the southern part of Quirino, the southeastern part of Nueva Vizcaya, the northeastern part of Nueva Ecija, and the central part of Aurora.
At its time of 5 PM, the Philippine Atmospheric Administration (Pagasa) is also placed in the surrounding provinces, including parts of Bicol, in Northern Luzon below 184 kilometers per hour (kph).
Metro Manila, neighboring areas in Calabarzon, central Luzon, some parts of Northern Luzon are under low signals but remain at risk of strong winds, heavy rains, and coastal flooding as the uwan approaches.
Uwan was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph, making it one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country this year.
The system was finally located 110 kilometers north of Daet, Camanines Norte, moving west-northwest at 30 kph.
A major storm is expected to move over central Aurora on Sunday or early Monday, possibly late Monday, before intensifying as it crosses the Northern Highlands. However, it is expected to remain as a typhoon throughout its northern area of Northern Luzon.
Pagasa warned that due to its proximity, a direct hit over the kalebs and Polilo Islands is possible.
Added to that heavy rain, storm surge, and strong winds can continue even in areas outside the direct path of the storm.
Division and suspension of work
This caused Malacañang and local government units to suspend government work and classes on Monday, November 10
Malacañang ordered the suspension of work in state offices and classrooms in large parts of the country as Uwan is expected to bring widespread disruption, heavy rains, and strong winds.
Secretary General Lucas P. BESERAMIN signed circular memorandum No. 106 on the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, in Car.
Classes at all levels in those regions, as well as Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and the Negros Island region, will be suspended for two days, starting Nov. 10 to 11.
The departure follows the recommendation of national disaster reduction and the Council of Administration amid Uwan’s “big” predictions.
Government agencies that provide essential services – such as health, disaster response, and other essential services – will continue to operate, while others may use other arrangements to maintain essential services, the circular said.
Local governments outside the affected areas can issue separate suspension orders as needed, while work in private offices remains at the discretion of company heads, the palace said.
The Philippines – one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world – experiences 20 tropical storms a year.
Uwan comes as authorities continue relief efforts for areas still recovering from typhoon kalmaegi (tino), which caused deadly floods in the visayas and mindanao earlier this month.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, JR. last Thursday he placed the country under a state of emergency to allow easy distribution of funds. – Chloe Mari A. Hufana
