(PHOTO COURTESY)
EV braces for Wilma
TACLOBAN CITY — Schools and offices across Eastern Visayas were suspended starting Thursday, December 4, as Tropical Depression Wilma approached the region, prompting local authorities to implement precautionary measures.
Governors of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Biliran ordered province-wide suspension of classes and work, while several municipalities in Leyte and Samar also followed suit amid the storm threat.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Wilma slightly accelerated as of Friday morning, with its center located 270 kilometers east of Borongan City. The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph, and is forecast to move west-southwestward until December 6 before turning generally westward.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also suspended sea travel in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, western Leyte, and Biliran, advising all vessels to seek shelter at the nearest harbor or anchorage and urging fisherfolk to strictly follow safety precautions.
Local government units have activated emergency response teams in preparation for possible flooding and landslides, as heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days.
The regional Office of Civil Defense emphasized vigilance and readiness among communities.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII is on high alert, pre-positioning 77,866 family food boxes, 12,716 ready-to-eat food packs, and 18,574 non-food items across strategic locations. An additional P2.59 million has been set aside for emergency interventions.
The agency continues to urge the public to coordinate with local government units for immediate assistance if needed.
JOEY A. GABIETA
