DILG to local chief execs: Ensure presence in disaster response, suspend trips abroad amid Uwan

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday called on local chief executives to suspend foreign travel "until the situation stabilizes" amid the expected impact of possible Super Typhoon Uwan. 

DILG said this is to "ensure full leadership presence during disaster response and relief operations."

"The directive follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national calamity and underscores the duty of governors, mayors, and barangay captains, as chairpersons of their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, to remain in their areas during emergencies," said the DILG.

DILG Secretary Jonvik Remulla also reminded LGUs to assist affected areas, reactivate Local Price Coordinating Councils to prevent overpricing, and coordinate closely with Regional and Provincial DRRMCs and DILG Regional Offices for timely response.

"All DILG Regional Directors have been instructed to relay the directive for uniform action across all levels of local government. The Department stressed that strong, hands-on local leadership is crucial in protecting lives and ensuring swift recovery," it added. 

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, PAGASA raised Signal No. 2 over the following areas:

Luzon

• Catanduanes
• Eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, Lagonoy, Buhi, Caramoan, Tigaon, Garchitorena, Calabanga, Sagñay, San Jose, Presentacion, Baao, Ocampo, Milaor, Nabua, Bato, Camaligan, Pili, Iriga City, Magarao, Minalabac, Balatan, Naga City, Bombon, Bula, Canaman)
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Ticao Islands
• Read more:

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• Northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City)
•  Northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, San Policarpo, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche)

Under Signal No. 2, winds of greater than 62 kph  and up to 88 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours, according to PAGASA.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised over the following areas:

Luzon

• Batanes
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Quirino
•  Nueva Vizcaya
•  Apayao
•  Abra
•  Kalinga
•   Mountain Province
•   Ifugao
•   Benguet
•   Ilocos Norte
•   Ilocos Sur
•   La Union
•   Pangasinan
•   Aurora
•   Nueva Ecija
•   Bulacan
•   Tarlac
•   Pampanga
•   Zambales
•   Bataan
•   Metro Manila
•   Cavite
•   Laguna
•   Batangas
•   Rizal
•   Quezon
•   Camarines Norte
•   the rest of Camarines Sur
•   the rest of Masbate including Burias Island
•   Marinduque
•   Romblon
•   Oriental Mindoro
•   Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands
•   Calamian Islands
•    Cuyo Islands

Visayas

•   the rest of Samar
•   the rest of Eastern Samar
•   Biliran
•   Leyte
•   Southern Leyte
•   Northeastern portion of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Buenavista, Trinidad, San Miguel, Ubay, Alicia, Mabini, Bien Unido, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)
•   the northern and central portions of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Borbon, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Asturias, Cebu City, Balamban, City of Talisay, Toledo City, Minglanilla) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
•   Northern portion of Negros Occidental (City of Escalante, Toboso, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay, San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Murcia, Bacolod City)
•  the northern and central portions of Iloilo (Carles, Estancia, Balasan, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Batad, Sara, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Lemery, Lambunao, Calinog, Bingawan, City of Passi, San Enrique, Anilao, Banate, Dingle, Dueñas, Janiuay, Badiangan, Mina, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Maasin, Cabatuan, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Dumangas, Leon, Alimodian)
•  Capiz
•  Aklan
•  Northern and central portions of Antique (Pandan, Libertad, Sebaste, Culasi, Valderrama, Tibiao, Barbaza, Laua-An, Bugasong, Patnongon, San Remigio) including Caluya Islands

Mindanao

•     Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte

Under Signal No. 1, winds of 39-61 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours, while intermittent rains are possible within 36 hours.

Signal No. 5 seen

"The highest Wind Signal that will likely be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5," PAGASA said.

Areas not covered by wind signals were expected to experience occasional gusty conditions reaching strong to gale-force strength over Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao on Saturday and Sunday.

"There is a high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m within the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal communities of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands," the state weather bureau said.

A gale warning was also in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. —VAL, GMA Integrated News