TYPHOON WATCH: Firms urged to set implement flexible work arrangements

Local

AS WORK in all national and local government offices in Cebu has been suspended due to Typhoon Tino, internationally named Kalmaegi, private companies, establishments, and offices were strongly urged to follow the same measure to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.

The provincial government emphasized the need for employers to implement flexible work arrangements, suspend operations if necessary, and secure offices against strong winds, heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides.

This call came from Gov. Pamela Baricuatro through Executive Order No. 67, series of 2025, which suspends government work from 12:00 noon of Nov. 3 until Nov. 4.

It also directs heads of essential offices to maintain continuity of services through skeletal workforce or on-call deployment.

The EO cites Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 raised over parts of Cebu by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), references Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012, and Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 as legal bases for suspending work.

Private establishments are advised to coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management councils, monitor official weather updates, and take precautionary measures to protect employees and secure property, in line with Department of Labor and Employment rules, regulations, and advisories.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, Pagasa reported Tino moving west-southwest at 25 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 105 km/h.

The storm is forecast to make initial landfall Tuesday in southern Eastern Samar or Southern Leyte and Dinagat Islands before crossing northern Cebu.

Rainfall has already begun in northern and central Cebu and parts of Bohol, with levels expected to reach 50 to 100 millimeters and increase further on Tuesday.

Signal No. 2 has been hoisted over northern and central Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, indicating winds of 62 to 88 km/h that are dangerous for all types of sea vessels.

The Cebu Provincial Government has raised its blue alert status and activated its disaster response plan.

Baricuatro also activated a special disaster preparedness plan for 11 northern Cebu localities—Sogod, Tabogon, Borbon, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sta. Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos—that remain vulnerable after the September 30 earthquake.

Provincial offices have been directed to monitor weather updates closely and prepare evacuation centers, food packs, and rescue assets.

The Provincial Engineering Office has deployed generators and clearing equipment, while the Provincial Health Office mobilized emergency medical teams.

Meanwhile, the Visayan Electric Company and the Metropolitan Cebu Water District have deployed emergency teams to ensure continuity of power and water supply.

Visayan Electric also advised that power may be temporarily cut off if needed to protect the distribution system and allow faster restoration after the storm.

Also, several flights at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport were canceled as of 11 a.m. on Nov. 3 due to Tino, affecting routes to and from Siargao, Tacloban, Butuan, and Borongan.

To safeguard students and educators, all classes in public and private schools across Cebu Province and Cebu City have been suspended from November 3 to 5. Some towns have adopted the Alternative Delivery Mode to minimize learning disruptions.(MyTVCebu)