Cagayan temporarily bans fishing, swimming as Henry nears

Local authorities temporarily enforced a no fishing, sailing or swimming policy in Cagayan as part of precautionary measures for the possible onslaught of Super Typhoon Henry.

According to Ivy Hernando’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, residents were also told to be prepared in case of need to forcibly evacuate.

Meanwhile, classes in all levels in Calayan, Cagayan were also suspended due to the typhoon.

Residents are worried over the damage that may be brought by Henry as they have not yet fully recovered from the recent wrath of Typhoon Florita.

“Natatakot po kami na tangayin ng hangin yung bubong namin kasi noong nakaraang bagyo, nayupi yung bubong at yero namin, lahat kami dyan sa gilid gilid ng mismong dagat, eh nagtali kami ng mga bahay bahay,” resident Lalaine Recalisado said.

(We were afraid that the wind will blow away our roof because during the last typhoon, our roof collapsed and we were left near the shore sea.  Now we have secured our houses.)

“All over the province yung ating stations strategically located sa buong province yung TFLC (Task Force Linked Cagayan) natin bukod doon sa coordination natin sa MDRRMO (Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) at Barangay DRRM,” Ruelie Rapsing, Cagayan DRRMO officer, said.

(Our TFLC stations are strategically located throughout the province, and in coordination with MDRRMO and Barangay DRRM.)

In Bontoc, Mt. Province, clearing operations were also being conducted following the landslides in several areas.

The Department of Public Works and Highways said it will deploy personnel to monitor the landslide prone areas.

“Dahil sa buhos ng ulan at saka dati na kasing nag-slide ‘yun noon sa earthquake para bang unstable na yung slope,” Alberto Gahid, district engineer said.

(Due to heavy rains and rock formation slide caused by the earthquake, the slope has become unstable.)

Meanwhile, the Batanes National Science Highschool has started putting up window shutters to prevent further damage.

“Nakamonitor po kami sa NDRRMO natin doon at tuloy tuloy naman ang kanilang pagmomonitor sa lahat ng mga pagbabago ng ating panahon,” Ceasar Roldan Esdicul, Batanes DRRM officer, said.

(We are monitoring our NDRRMO and they are continuously monitoring all the weather changes.)

Food packs were also prepared in case of evacuation.

Weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday hoisted Signal No. 1 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands as Henry slightly weakened and decelerated.

On Thursday evening, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Batanes, with light to moderate and occasionally heavy rains possible over the Babuyan Islands.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News