MANILA, 30 November 2006 — Officials yesterday stopped boats and ferries from venturing to sea in the eastern Philippines and suspended classes in provinces in the path of typhoon Reming, which gathered strength as it blew closer to the Bicol Region.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa) said Reming, named Durian by Asia-Pacific weather forecasters, was blowing westward to Manila with sustained winds of 190 kilometers (119 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 225 kph (140 mph) the cyclone.
Nathaniel Cruz, Pagasa’s chief forecaster, said “Reming” was last spotted 275 kilometers east southeast of Virac town in Catanduanes island-province yesterday afternoon.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has also ordered the suspension of school classes in all levels in the affected areas to prevent any untoward incident.
Cruz said officials approved his recommendation to suspend classes today in metropolitan Manila and four nearby provinces.
Classes already have been suspended on the island province of Catanduanes, where the typhoon is expected to slam ashore this morning, and in five other eastern provinces with the highest storm alerts.
“Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against flashfloods and landslides,” the weather bureau said in a bulletin.
“Those living in coastal areas are advised to seek higher grounds due to possible storm surge,” it added.
More than 25 provinces and the Philippine capital, Manila, are under storm alerts.
Moving westward at a relatively fast 24 kph (15 mph), Manila or the region just south of it could be battered by the typhoon Friday morning.
Antonio Golez, deputy chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, said all local governments and agencies in the affected areas have been alerted for emergency operations.
He said his agency also has directed billboard owners to pull down their tarpaulins to prevent a repeat of the collapse of many such structures, killing at least one person, when another typhoon hit Manila in September.
Cruz said the Bicol region, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) southeast of Manila, was already feeling the effects of the typhoon with rains and winds.
He warned residents in low-lying and coastal areas to watch out for storm surges, or big waves generated by strong winds.
In late September, Typhoon Milenyo (Xangsane) left 230 people dead and missing in and around Manila.
Typhoon Paeng (Cimaron) killed 19 people and injured 58 others late last month, and earlier this month, Chebi sliced through the central Luzon region, killing one.
About 20 typhoons and tropical storms lash the Philippines each year.
Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi city in the northeastern province of Albay, one of the areas ravaged by the previous typhoons, said disaster response agencies were working overtime to prepare for possible emergencies. “Electric power hasn’t even been restored to some villages. But now that the threat is here, we have no choice but to prepare,” Rosal told Manila Radio DZRH. In Sorsogon province, Mayor Guillermo So said the coast guard barred ferries from leaving ports to prevent accidents. (With input from agencies)
