Strong winds whip Davao district

STRONG winds continue to whip through three barangays in Marilog district damaging at least five houses since Saturday.

Chona Espinosa, radio operator of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DCDRRMC), in a phone interview said four of the houses were damaged while the fifth one was destroyed.

Based on the initial reports gathered by the City Social Services and Development Office (CSDDO), the affected areas are sitios Maligaya and Sto. Niño in Barangay Marilog and Bagong Silang in Barangay Baganihan and Purok 6 in Barangay Buda.

"Actually, kagahapon pa na report sa amo nga naa diay ana nahitabo sa Marilog, pero ang kakusog sa hangin ato pa daw Sabado nagsugod (The incident was reported to us Monday but the strong winds were said to have been felt since Saturday)," Espinosa said.

Rolando L. Policios, Buda village chief, confirmed a house was damaged by strong winds in the area.

He said he is still gathering reports from other areas.

Marilog District is the biggest in terms of land area but is among the most remote. Transport and communication between villages are at most times difficult.

Espinosa said the CSSDO personnel are on their way to affected areas to check the situation and determine affected residents who need assistance.

Gerry F. Pedrico, head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the residents should prepare because there will still be scattered rain showers and thunderstorms within this week in some areas of the city.

"Though Typhoon ‘Lawin’ is far from us pero sa kakusog niya maabot gihapon iyang hangin in other parts of the country especially sa mga kabukiran. I suggest mas maayo kung mag andam lang ang tanan, safety first (its gustiness reaches a wide part of the country especially those in the mountains. People should be on alert and should always think of their safety first)," Pedrico said.

Based on the Pagasa weather forecast as of 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Lawin was located based on satellite and surface data at 585 kilometers East of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is forecast to move north northwest at 11 kilometer per hour.