Sunday, November 09, 2008 Slow-moving storm Rolly hits Cebu’s south
TYPHOON Rolly plodded towards Argao and Sibonga in southern Cebu last Saturday night, moving at 19 kilometers per hour and packing maximum winds of 45 kph. It was expected to hit the area before midnight.
For the second time this week, the Coast Guard (CG) barred about 40 passenger vessels from leaving port after the weather bureau raised storm signal number one over Central Visayas.
Petty Officer 3 Renato Labrador said the hold-departure order took effect at 8 a.m. after they received a weather bulletin from Pag-asa.
Most of the 442 stranded passengers were bound for Bohol.
But the number of passengers was expected to increase as most of the inter-island ferries were scheduled to leave port in the evening or late afternoon yet.
Storm signal number one was raised over Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental and Occidental and Camiguin Island as of 5 p.m., said Oscar Tabada, chief of Pag-asa Mactan.
Tabada, however, said the bureau expects a sunny day in Cebu Sunday, as Rolly heads for Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Rolly is the 17th weather disturbance to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year. An average of 19 to 20 storms and typhoons hit the country every year.
CG Station Commander Elpidio Gunio said they have to suspend the operations of about 40 passenger vessels plying the neighboring islands of Iloilo, Bohol, Dumaguete, Bantayan and Negros because of strong winds.
About 64 cargo vessels were also prevented from sailing, said Gunio.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia called for an emergency meeting of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council at 1:30 p.m. yesterday to confirm preparations. She instructed all of the Capitol’s department heads to be on call 24 hours.
Cebu Provincial Police Office deputy director for administration Noel Gillamac said they also activated the disaster coordinating councils and sent radio messages reminding personnel in all stations and precincts to be vigilant. (GC/EOB/GMD)
