CEBU City declared a state of calamity on Friday, July 18, 2025, following days of relentless rain and widespread flooding, as local governments across Cebu Province suspended classes and sea travel due to the threats of tropical depression Crising.
The declaration, made by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in a meeting with Mayor Nestor Archival, aims to fast-track procurement and emergency operations, including desilting and declogging of the city’s major waterways.
“This declaration is not just a response to recent flooding, but part of our proactive preparations from now until December, as we anticipate more weather disturbances in the coming months,” Archival said.
The mayor ordered 24/7 operations at the City Command Center, radio communication lines reactivated and emergency funds allocated to rental of heavy equipment needed for waterway clearing. About P61 million in quick response funds are available for use.
The City Council is expected to deliberate and approve the resolution on the declaration of a state of emergency within 24 hours for it to take full effect.
Province-wide alerts
Across the province, the Provincial Government placed the entire province under alert due to flooding and landslide risks.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) confirmed that 36 cities and municipalities suspended in-person classes Friday, including Cebu’s major urban centers and coastal towns.
A landslide in Sitio Quadro, Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City on Wednesday, July 16, displaced one family, while another slide along Manipis Road has since been cleared and declared passable.
PDRRMO head Dennis Francis Pastor said Mandaue City remains a flooding hotspot, while Talisay City is being closely monitored for both flooding and landslides.
Though no preemptive evacuations have been ordered, Pastor emphasized that all local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices have been directed to submit real-time situational reports.
Gov. Pam Baricuatro called on Cebuanos to take preparedness seriously.
“As we face stronger and more frequent typhoons and natural disasters, I urge everyone to take preparedness seriously — from your households to your barangays,” she said in a statement.
Sea travel suspended
In maritime updates, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel for small vessels in several parts of Central Visayas, particularly in Northern Cebu and the islands of Camotes and Bohol, citing rough seas caused by tropical storm Crising-enhanced southwest monsoon.
Vessels 15 gross tonnage (GT) and below, or 35 GT and below in northern Cebu, were barred from sailing per PCG Memorandum Circular 03-01, which restricts travel for small boats under Beaufort Scale 4 conditions, even without a direct weather bulletin.
Shelter voyages, trips without passengers or cargo may still be allowed upon written request.
Sea travel between Danao City and Camotes, trips from Maya Port to Malapascua Island and Taloot, Argao to Loon, Bohol, were also suspended. / EHP, CDF and John Mart Mabalhin, VSU Intern