THE Davao City Government on Monday, March 18, conducted preemptive evacuation in several barangays ahead of Tropical Depression Chedeng, which has been forecast to make landfall over Davao Oriental or Davao Occidental.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed the entire Davao Region under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 1 based on its 5 p.m. advisory on Monday.
Also placed under Signal 1 are the eastern portions of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has ordered preemptive evacuation in Matina, Crossing, particularly in Purok Guadalupe, Quiniones Compound, Pluto, Milky Way and Virgo streets at GSIS Heights, Shrine Hills Diversion Road; at DDF Village in Mandug; Purok Damayan in Barangay Buhangin; at Juario Village, Purok 9, Nacilla Village both at Shrine Hills, Dinaville Subdivision, Iñigues Village in Maa; Awhag Subdivision (Davao River Bank) in Barangay 19; and at Diversion Road (old dumpsite) in Matina Pangi.
Based on Pagasa's Severe Bulletin #7, which was issued at 8 p.m. Monday, Tropical Depression Chedeng may make landfall early Tuesday morning, March 19, over the southeastern coast of Davao Oriental or over the eastern coast of Davao Occidental.
Chedeng is expected to weaken into a Low Pressure Area after landfall.
As of 7 p.m. Monday, it was still packing maximum winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. It has slightly accelerated as it continues to move west towards Davao Oriental at 20 kph.
Chedeng was spotted at 205 kilometers east southeast of Davao City or 260 kilometers east of General Santos City as of 7 p.m. Monday.
Chedeng to bring rains
The weather bureau said “scattered to at times widespread moderate to heavy rains” may be experienced over most parts of Mindanao, especially over portions of Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga Peninsula on Tuesday, March 19.
Meanwhile, the weather bureau advised all the disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned and residents of the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas identified as high risk to flooding or landslide to undertake appropriate actions and continue monitoring for updates, including the Heavy Rainfall Warning and Thunderstorm Advisories issued by Pagasa Regional Services Divisions.
Those with small seacraft are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, as well as the seaboards of areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals.
Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Davao information officer Leslie Francisco said the National and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Davao region conducted the pre-disaster needs assessment (PDRA) meeting on Sunday, March 17, in preparation for the tropical depression.
Different member agencies present during the activity were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
"Nag PDRA pud ang mga PRDRRMCs kahapon and kaninang morning. Gi-check ang number of available resources ug disaster response equipment (A PDRA was conducted yesterday morning. Number of available resources and disaster response equipment) such as rubber boats, response vehicles, trucks, etc," Francisco said.
She also said that they are all ready to respond to possible disasters that Chedeng could bring in Davao region.
Cancellations
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Station Davao, meanwhile, suspended trips out of Sta. Ana pier Monday.
Commodore George Maganto, station commander of Coast Guard Station Davao, said that the cancellation of trips is in accordance to the Coast Guard circular number 12-13 which contains the guidelines on the movement of vessels during severe weather.
The cancellation of trips took effect at 6 a.m. Monday, affecting all watercraft plying Sta. Ana pier bound to Kaputian and vice versa, Sta. Ana pier to Talikud and vice versa and island hopping to ensure the safety of passengers from rough sea condition.
The suspension of trips will continue until Pagasa lifts the warning.
Different local government units also announced class suspension because of the tropical depression starting Monday, March 18, until the order is lifted.
Classes in all levels are suspended in Davao del Norte; Mati City, Davao Oriental; and Compostela Valley.
Only Kindergarten to Senior High School classes are suspended in Maco, Mabini, Pantukan, and New Bataan.
Classes in all levels are also suspended starting Tuesday, March 19, in Davao City; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; and Davao Occidental.