DAVAO CITY (March 18) —The provincial government of Davao del Norte suspends the classes in all levels as Tyhoon Chedeng affects the province.
Governor Anthony del Rosario ordered the suspension following the storm signal issued by PAGASA.
Earlier on, Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy this afternoon ordered the suspension of classes on all levels in his city, as preemptive measure to Tropical Depression Chedeng which is expected to affect the island.
At 10:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “CHEDENG” was estimated based on all available data at 445 km East of Davao City (06.7 °N, 129.8 °E )
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a bulletin issued 11:am today, it says Chedeng maintained its strength as it continues towards the direction of Davao region.
It added, Chedeng may make landfall over eastern coast of Davao Oriental tomorrow morning and is expected to weaken into a Low Pressure Area while crossing Mindanao.
The weather station said, scattered up to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Caraga and Davao Regions, especially over Surigao del Sur, eastern portion of Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Compostela Valley.
Tomorrow (19 March), scattered to at times widespread moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over portions of Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
The PAGASA said, the disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned and residents of the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas identified to be at high risk of flooding or landslide, are advised to undertake necessary preparations and continue monitoring for updates.
Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, as well as the seaboards of areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals (TCWS).
Uy in an interview with NewsLine.ph said, early this morning, March 18, he ordered the suspension of classes among primary schools “But as of 12:00 noon, I decided to suspend classes on all levels, in both public and private schools, because Samal is expected to be affected by the typhoon.”
The tropical depression continues to have maximum winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 60 km/h.
The PAGASA bulletin shows the following area to be affected by Signal No. 1:
- Davao Oriental
- Compostela Valley
- Davao del Sur
- Davao City
- Davao Occidental
- southern part of Davao del Norte including Samal Island
- eastern part of North Cotabato
- eastern part of Sarangani
The Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has also recommended the suspension of classes on all levels in the entire province of Davao del Norte.
Uy said, he will monitor the weather until tonight to decide whether the suspension will be extended tomorrow or now.-ezc/NewsLine.ph
