NATIONAL government agencies and even local government units in Cebu are bracing themselves for Tropical Storm Auring (International name: Dujuan), which is expected to make landfall in the Visayas during the weekend.
In preparation for Auring’s impact in the region, officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD 7) have prepared P22.2 million worth of stockpile aid and standby funds.
DSWD 7 Director Rebecca Geamala told SunStar Cebu that the P22.2 million covers family food packs, non-food relief items, and standby funds.
“We will be using these funds in case of calamities. If the amount is insufficient to provide aid to those affected, we can always request more from our Central Office,” Geamala said.
She also asked the local government units (LGUs) concerned to inform them of their relief needs.
In Mandaue City, local officials has placed the city under red alert starting Saturday, Feb. 20.
Buddy Allain Ibañez, head of Mandaue’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they raised their alert level to prepare their personnel and equipment.
They have also coordinated with utility firms such as the Visayan Electric Company to address power concerns should some arise.
He also coordinated with the city’s barangays, particularly those which are known to be flood-and landslide-prone.
Karlo Cabahug, head of CDRRMO’s Planning Division, said they have identified 11 barangays that are flood-prone and three that are
landslide prone.
Flood prone barangays in Mandaue City are Cabancalan, Tingub, Tabok, Maguikay, Tipolo, Alang-alang, Umapad, Paknaan, Looc, Labogon and Basak.
Tawason, Casili and Cubacub are identified as landslide prone.
In Lapu-Lapu City, local officials have warned their colleagues leading the city’s island barangays to prepare for Auring’s onslaught.
Nagiel Bañacia, Lapu-Lapu’s CDRMMO head, said they have coordinated with the island barangays’ small and medium stores to provide aid to affected islanders.
Bañacia said they coordinated with the island barangays’ small and medium stores as the City might not be able to respond immediately to their aid.
Coastal barangays have been advised to evacuate their constituents living near the shoreline.
Mayor Junard Chan said the Lapu-Lapu City Government has prepared around 3,000 food packs.
The state weather bureau station in Mactan, Cebu, said Cebu is expected to feel the impact of Auring on Saturday and Sunday.
As of 3 p.m. Friday, the center of Auring was estimated at 415 kilometers East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
It has a gustiness of 105 kilometer per hour (kph) and is moving West at 15 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 1 was already raised in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur. (WBS, KFD, GCM
/ JKV)