Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Residents warned to stay alert as Crising batters Davao Region

DAVAO CITY, Feb 19 (PIA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered the suspension of classes from preschool to high school Tuesday due to bad weather brought about by tropical depression Crising.

She also placed all rescue units run by the Emergency Response Center Central 911 and the barangays rescue groups on heightened alert due to the possible swelling of Davao River and other tributaries in the city and landslide on the highland areas. 

“Per Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Heavy Rainfall Yellow Advisory No. 1 issued at 8:53 p.m. Monday, Davao City is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall due to the weather system, so classes will be suspended from preschool to highschool on February 19,” Duterte-Carpio said. 

She said the suspension of classes for college and post-graduate levels and work in private sector will be left to the discretion of school administrators and employers, respectively. 

Genelito Atillo, spokesperson of the Department of Education in Davao Region affirmed the suspension of classes in preschool and highschool in all areas placed under the tropical storm signal no. 1 in Davao Region namely, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley. 

Commander Jose Luspo, chief of the Sta. Ana Wharf Detachment of the Philippine Coast Guard ordered the suspension of sea travel from Davao City to Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal and Talikud Island which are also placed under tropical storm signal no. 1. 

He said that traveling towards these destinations takes one-hour and will surely expose people to rough seas. 

Luspo said that the ferry service and the sea travel between Kilometer 11 Sasa, Davao City and Villa Rica, Island Garden City of Samal will continue in order not to totally isolate the access of residents to the main land. 

He explained it only takes 15 minutes to travel in these sea lanes. 

The operation center of the Office of Civil Defense-11 also warned the local risk reduction management councils to take precautionary measures and to observe red alert. 

The Pagasa reported as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the center of tropical depression Crising was estimated based on available data at 310 kilometers east of General Santos City with maximum sustained winds at 45 kilometers per hour near the center and it estimated to move west northwest at 22 kilometers per hour. (JSGD-PIA 11) 

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