VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA)- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Catanduanes station enforced the suspension of all vessel trips within the province of Catanduanes starting from 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 23 following the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) raising of Typhoon Signal No. 2 in the province due to Tropical Storm “Egay.”
In its Sea Travel Advisory No. 0723-02, CG LT Esperanza B. Lazaro, stated all vessels, regardless of type and tonnage, are not allowed to sail except to take shelter.
Earlier, PCG Catanduanes personnel conducted Coastal Security Patrol (CSP) and reminded fisherfolks and residents about safety measures during typhoons.
Governor Joseph C. Cua also issued memorandum 188 series of 2023 ordering the suspension of work and classes at all levels in the province Monday, July 24.
The memorandum however does not include those involved in the provision of necessities or delivery of basic services and disaster response.
Meanwhile, as of 8:00 am today, a total of 432 individuals are stranded at Tabaco port. The Provincial Local Government Unit of Catanduanes has already coordinated with Tabaco for the distribution of food packs for the stranded passengers.
During the pre-disaster meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council Friday, July 21, members of the Response Cluster assured Gov. Joseph C. Cua that they are prepared for the possible effects of Egay.
Additionally, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that the province had 4,550 food packs on standby for relief operations aside from the 3,000 food packs on standby in the municipalities from DSWD.
The Provincial Health Office also assured that they have emergency drugs in stock, with 500 water kits and 162 hygiene kits likewise on standby for deployment.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), PEPO, and the BFP also said that they have already prepositioned vehicles and other heavy equipment in anticipation of landslides that may cause road closures.
The DICT assured that it has satellite phones are on standby for use in the event of a communications blackout along with 11 gensets as backup power.
The Philippine Army and Philippine National Police will also station personnel at the Provincial Capitol to ensure immediate response in case of emergency.
The PBMO assured that the capitol’s funds are ready in the event of a disaster, with food relief funds at P45 million, P500,000 for hygiene kits, P1.3 million as food assistance for travellers, P500,000 for medicine, and P17 million in the Quick Response Fund.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #13 issued at 11:00 am today by PAGASA, the entire province of Catanduanes was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as Typhoon Egay further intensifies while moving Westward over the Philippine Sea.
The center of the eye of Typhoon EGAY was estimated based on all available data at 525 km East of Baler, Aurora (15.4 °N, 126.5 °E ). (EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)
