DavNor Gov suspends classes, urges officials not to take chances

Davao del Norte, December 4, 2014 – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has suspended classes from pre-school to high school level in the province of Davao del Norte starting December 5, 2014, as a preemptive measure due to Super Typhoon Ruby.

Del Rosario issued the memorandum “due to impending threat to safety and security that may arise from having bad weather condition” brought by Ruby (international name Hagupit).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) identified the province as among the critical areas to be affected by the storm.

The governor directed the local government units and residents to closely monitor the development of the typhoon and to prepare for any eventuality.

He also enjoined the respective local disaster management officials to strictly operate the Incident Command System (ICS), which was still in effect since its activation last November 26, 2014 during the onset of tropical depression Queenie, where the province was placed under Signal No. 1.

The governor appealed for public cooperation, while reiterating the province’s determination to achieve zero casualty in any calamity.

“We cannot take chances. Our goal is to achieve zero casualty,” he told public officials during the Regular Meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

Del Rosario asked everyone not to be complacent and to be ever watchful given Typhoon Ruby's unpredictable track.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said TY Ruby (international name Hagupit) entered the PAR at around 3 a.m. on November 4, 2014.

The typhoon, last estimated 860 kilometers East of Surigao City, has intensified further and is now bearing maximum sustained winds of 195 kph with gustiness of 230 kph.

However, PAGASA said there is no definitive forecast yet on what course the typhoon will take, as it moves west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

The weather bureau revealed most forecast models point to the typhoon making a direct hit in Eastern Visayas, possibly in the Samar area, Saturday morning. But, it is still possible that Ruby may recurve to the northeast.

The lifting of the suspension of classes is subject to the discretion of the respective local chief executives.

Meanwhile, the disaster preparedness efforts of the province will continue as usual despite the severe weather threat. 

The province will conduct its Friday Oplan ANDAM (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) caravan on November 5, 2014 in Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte.(noel baguio/davnor pio)