Cebu City braces for ‘Tino’

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival ordered all disaster response units, utilities, and essential departments to mobilize for immediate emergency operations.

This is amid the expected onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

In a press conference on Monday, Nov. 3, Archival stated that all city offices will remain on duty for half-day operations to allow essential departments, such as rescue, engineering, social welfare, and utilities, to stay on standby while other personnel prepare for possible emergency deployment.

“We are on red alert right now,” Archival said. “City Hall is open this morning, but after lunch, we’ll have another briefing. Based on my assessment, we might have a half-day work, but essential departments should still be there.”

Archival said that the city government is “ready and fully equipped” to respond to any situation.

“Number one, I want everyone to know that the city government is ready,” he said. “Our heavy equipment is already positioned in the upland areas—Sirao, Guba, Budlaan—so that whenever there are eventualities, these can immediately spread out.”

He added that the City Command Center is now operating 24/7, with representatives from Visayan Electric Company (Veco), the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure a coordinated response.

“The moment there are incidents, our teams will respond immediately. VECO and MCWD are here at the Command Center. MCWD said 60 percent of its water pumps already have a power supply. Establishments with billboards have also been ordered to take them down,” Archival said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services has prepared evacuation areas, including the Abellana National School gymnasium, which has its own generator for stranded residents or ship passengers. Barangays have also been advised to ready their evacuation sites and communication systems.

“Our radios are ready in case cell sites go down. These can connect us to the barangays,” Archival said.

Preemptive evacuations are now ongoing in both coastal and upland barangays identified as high-risk areas for flooding and landslides.

“In coastal areas, evacuation has started as early as now,” the mayor said. “But sometimes others hesitate to leave, so we are strongly encouraging them to evacuate because it’s dangerous. We’re not forcing anyone, but please, do not take chances.”

Archival also reminded residents to secure basic necessities such as water, food, flashlights, and batteries, and to look after their pets.

“Pet owners should also take care of their animals. Prepare your supplies and be ready,” he added.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council raised the Red Alert Status on Sunday, Nov. 2, activating all emergency and rescue units in anticipation of Typhoon Tino’s landfall. Under the red alert, all response teams are required to be on standby and ready for rapid deployment.

Preemptive evacuations have been ordered in 33 mountain barangays and 10 to 15 coastal areas, while classes in all levels have been suspended from November 3 to 5.

The city government has also urged private establishments to adopt flexible work arrangements so employees can prepare their homes and families.

The mayor once again appealed to residents to stay calm, follow advisories, and cooperate with barangay officials.

“We are all prepared, but we need the cooperation of everyone,” he said. “Please, stay informed through official channels, and help your neighbors if needed.”

Archival earlier advised the public not to engage in panic buying, assuring that grocery stores and supermarkets in Cebu City have sufficient stocks of basic goods for at least two weeks.

“Buying enough supplies for three days is enough,” he said. “There’s no need to hoard so others can also buy what they need.”

As of Monday morning, Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) has intensified into a severe tropical storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 remains raised over parts of Cebu, with a high likelihood of Signal No. 4 being declared later in the day as the storm moves closer to the Visayas.

Pagasa warned of torrential rains, strong winds, flash floods, landslides, and possible storm surges in coastal communities, urging residents to follow evacuation orders from local authorities.

“We urge everyone to listen and heed the orders of the authorities,” said Jhomer Eclarino, chief weather forecaster at Pagasa Mactan. “We also advise local governments to conduct preemptive evacuations as early as today.”(TGP)