ROXAS City — The provincial government of Capiz cancelled all classes yesterday in anticipation of the landing of Typhoon “Pablo” in Western Visayas today.
Over the radio yesterday morning, Gov. Victor A. Tanco Sr. announced the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools.
Office work at the Provincial Capitol was also suspended in the afternoon, Tanco announced, excluding the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Engineer’s Office, and government hospitals.
In a bulletin issued 5 p.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hoisted Signal No. 2 over Capiz and Aklan, and Signal No. 3 in the other Western Visayan provinces of Antique, Iloilo and Guimaras.
Southern Negros Occidental was placed under Signal No. 3 while the rest of that province was under Signal No. 2.
Meanwhile, 1Lt. Junior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard here, announced the suspension of trips of all fishing and passenger vessels.
According to Tanco, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) was on standby and rescue equipment were ready to use.
The PDRRMC had been monitoring the situation in Capiz over the last 24 hours, Esperidion Pelaez, the group’s action officer, said yesterday.
There were no reports on flooding and landslide in the province so far, he added.
In this capital city, the City DRRMC was told to prepare for any eventuality as a result of the typhoon. Volunteer groups were also on standby.
Mayor Angel Alan Celino instructed the City Social Welfare and Development Office to prepare relief goods for possible relief operations. He also alerted about 100 disaster volunteers from five coastal villages here.
Celino also asked the residents to pray that Capiz will be spared from devastation, as the city will celebrate its annual Sinadya sa Halaran Festival on December 6–8.(Felipe Celino/PN)
