THE local government of Maasin City in Southern Leyte has declared the suspension of classes in all levels, both private and public, in the city on September 13 to 14.

In Executive Order 31 issued on Wednesday, September 12, Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado said suspension of classes is a preventive measure to prepare for possible effects of the southwest monsoon (habagat), which is being strengthened by Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut).

Mangkhut entered the Philippine area of responsibility around 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Mercado, in his order, also activated all members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation (CDRRMO) team, medical and emergency teams, and other city employees for an immediate response on any emergency situation 24/7.

The residents were also directed to follow any order from the CDRRMO for any pre-emptive evacuation.

Meanwhile, Southern Leyte Governor Christopherson Yap ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to activate its emergency operation center and incident management team and clusters in preparation for the typhoon to ensure the safety and security of the constituents.

While Eastern Visayas is not directly on the typhoon’s path yet, the Office of Civil Defense in the region already held a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting Wednesday afternoon, September 12.

Earlier, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Eastern Visayas assured the public that they have sufficient stocks of food relief items or non-food relief at the Regional Resource Operations Center.

Weather agencies have warned that the “extremely catastrophic" Typhoon Ompong is heading for northern and extreme northern Luzon this weekend with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 270 kilometers per hour. (SunStar Philippines)