ZAMBOANGA CITY — Classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, remained suspended here Friday, as the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Ompong brought moderate to occasionally heavy rains in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief, said Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) have been directed to continue monitoring the situation and to initiate response if the need arises.
Apolinario said there has been no major untoward incident, except for a house that was destroyed when an uprooted tree fell on it along the riverbank in Kilometer 7, Barangay Pasonanca.
He said the tree was uprooted at dawn Friday after the Tumaga River swelled, coupled with strong windsamid the continuous downpour at the Pasonanca watershed area. There was no reported death but one of the occupants sustained bruises on her shoulder.
He advised people living along riverbanks, low-lying and mountainous areas to take appropriate actions against possible floods and landslides.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) said Friday in its 11 a.m. weather bulletin that the other areas affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Ompong” are Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.
PAGASA said “Ompong” has maintained its strength as it continues to threaten the Isabela-Cagayan area.
The weather bureau said the typhoon is expected to make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning.
In this city, Apolinario said the emergency action center, which was activated since Tuesday, will remain operational until Saturday or as needed. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
