Preparations in Eastern Visayas are in full swing for the possible effects of Typhoon Uwan (international name: Kung-Wong) to the region.

Preparations are ongoing amid the 12th Year of Remembrance for the scores of lives lost to Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that devastated Eastern Visayas on November 8, 2013.

Four days ago, or on November 4, 2025, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) destroyed cottages and pump boats in Barangay Jose, Dulag, Leyte as it crossed Eastern Visayas at dawn.

Residents had already evacuated when Typhoon Tino battered Dulag. But as of this writing, the residents are about to leave their homes again for safer grounds due to threats posed by Typhoon Uwan.

“Yung malaking alon hanggang kalsada, takbuhan kami…successive naman ang bagyo dito, di na mapagkakatiwalaan,” said Margie Bicorivas, a resident.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 8 and other government agencies met on November 7, 2025 to prepare for Typhoon Uwan.

In a pre-disaster risk assessment, the agencies and local government units (LGUs) have been alerted of the threats that the typhoon poses.

While Typhoon Uwan is not heading directly toward Eastern Visayas, the region prepares for the possible effects especially of intense rains.

Preemptive or forced evacuation is again recommended.

According to OCD 8, liquor ban must be implemented which several LGUs enforced as part of their preparations for Typhoon Tino.

OCD 8 said they encourage liquor ban as it is helpful in ensuring that residents are of sound mind and sober.

“We are also considering through the DILG liquor ban kasi we have heard success story kanina na yung liquor ban nakatulong din na mabawasan ang casualties ng local government unit,” Sher Saices, OCD 8 information officer, said.

Authorities have urged residents to listen to official weather-related bulletins and advisories.

“So despite of hindi siya directly center sa aton so yung effects pa rin gaya ng ulan, storm surge, yung winds can still be felt dito sa region so yun po ang pinaghahandaan natin,” Saices added.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City marked the 12th Year of Remembrance of persons who lost their lives to STY Yolanda.

A Holy Mass was offered at the Holy Cross Memorial Grave Site on Saturday, November 8, 2025 to remember the scores of residents who perished in the most catastrophic typhoon on record in the country.

Local officials, survivors of the tragedy, and families of the deceased attended the gathering. The importance of disaster preparedness has been underscored once more during the commemoration.

“It’s this eh, the government is prepared but we cannot handle 200,000, 300,000 people. You, yourselves, have to be prepared. Ano ibig sabihin nga Signal Number 1. Alam nyo sa’n kayo nakatira tingnan nyo epekto ng Signal No. 1, Signal No. 2, Signal No. 3. Ngayon nakita nyo ano nangyari pag tayo magkaroon ng sapat na oras 24, 48 hours to prepare. Imagine kailangan maglabas pa ako ng liquor ban bakit may iba dyan matitigas ang ulo. Sabihin malamig kaya iinom kami. Eh, ilan ang namatay na lasing nung Yolanda andamo (marami) namatay hindi naasiko pamilya nila,” Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez elucidated.

The mayor said he expects the community to be more proactive by this time, to be more cooperative.

“Matagal na ito hindi pa tayo pinapanganak may bagyo na dito sa mundo, may earthquake, makinig na tayo sa mga scientists sa mga nagsasabi sa atin, sa gobyerno na may darating na bagyo. Umiwas na tayo, maghanda-handa na tayo,” Romualdez said.

Melchor Serevilla visited his grandchild who was among STY Yolanda victims. He said despite the unfolding of 12 years, he still carries the grief.

The sturdiness of a coconut tree helped him survive, Serevilla said.

While he is at the grave site, Serevilla has to deal with the possible effects of another typhoon. The memories of STY Yolanda gnaw on.

“Yung mga ano ko umaano yung kalamnan ko ‘pag nakakarinig ako ng mga bagyo, parang nag-aano ako,” he said. He meant nervousness strikes, and apprehension sets in.

“Oo pagsabi na may typhoon naano na ako, ada na ako trauma (mayroon na akong trauma),” he added.

STY Yolanda, that moved at the highest wind speed of 315 km/h (Category 5) and induced maximum storm surge of seven meters (22.9 feet) in Tacloban City, claimed over 6,000 people in the Visayas alone.