Despite fair weather on Tuesday morning, authorities in Catanduanes have advised residents of coastal areas and landslide-prone areas to be vigilant as tropical storm Ulysses intensifies.
The provincial government has ordered forced evacuation following the expected landfall of the storm in some parts of the island.
“Kahit hindi ganoon kalakas, dahil ang karamihan ng bahay natin is temporary lang kaya kahit 40 kph, 50 kph, apektado tayo (Even if it is not that strong, most houses are temporary so we are still affected even if its strength is only 40 to 50 kph),” Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua stated.
Based on the 8 p.m. weather bulletin of PAGASA, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been raised over central and southern portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias and Ticao Islands, and Marinduque.
Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, the central and southern portions of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pamapanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, the rest of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, the rest of Masbate, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Northern Samar, the northern portion of Samar, and the northern portion of Eastern Samar.
Meanwhile, Senator Bong Go disclosed that they are recommending to President Rodrigo Duterte the creation of Task Force Rehabilitation Rolly to speed up the recovery of typhoon-hit areas. Go has also brought with him in Catanduanes a cheque worth ₱10 million from the Office of the President.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured that all affected will be given family food packs and other assistance. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) added that the TUPAD program for 5,000 informal workers has already commenced.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has guaranteed that it will allocate ₱121 million for Abaca farmers and assistance to affected farmers and fishers in the province. – Report from Ryan Lesigues
