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MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday urged tourists to put off their trips in areas affected by Tropical Depression Amang until the weather clears up to avoid danger.
“Kung mayroong mga turistang balak na magpunta sa mga lugar na apektado, inaabisuhan natin sila na ‘wag munang tumuloy hanggang mayroon pang nakataas na wind signal o Signal No. 1,” he said.
(If there are tourists who plan to go to affected areas, we advise them to postpone their trips while Signal No. 1 is up.)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed parts of Luzon under Signal No. 1 because strong winds (strong breeze to near gale strength) may be experienced in those areas due to Amang.
Based on the 2 p.m. bulletin of Pagasa, Amang kept its strength of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) maximum sustained winds near the center and 55 kph gustiness as it crosses the coastal waters of Caramoan, Camarines Sur. The tropical depression was moving north-northwestward at 10 kph.
READ: PPA: Sea trips return at Western Samar; still suspended at Northern Samar ports
The 2 p.m., April 12, weather bulletin also indicated that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:
- Catanduanes
- Sorsogon (City of Sorsogon, Pilar, Castilla, Donsol, Barcelona, Magallanes, Gubat, Casiguran, Juban, Prieto Diaz)
- Albay
- Camarines Sur
- Camarines Norte
- Laguna (Cavinti, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac)
- Aurora
- Quezon (Buenavista, Calauag, Infanta, Lopez, Guinayangan, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Mauban, General Nakar, Perez, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, Tagkawayan) including Pollilo Islands
- Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Rodriguez, Baras, City of Antipolo)
- Bulacan (Norzagaray, Doña Remedios Trinidad)
- Nueva Ecija (Gabaldon, Bongabon, Laur, General Tinio)
It further notified the public that moderate to rough sea conditions are expected over the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon amid Amang.
“Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” Pagasa said.
But the OCD also said that if travelers are already in areas affected by Amang, they should just remain inside their hotels or lodgings to stay safe.
“Kung sila naman ay ngayon nasa lugar na may Signal No. 1, ay maaaring manatili muna sila sa loob ng mga bahay, or kung saan man sila tumutuloy at hangga’t maaari ay ‘wag muna lumabas, ‘wag na sila tumuloy kung hindi naman kinakailangan para sila ay ligtas sa dadaang bagyo,” Mariano said.
(If they are already in areas under Signal No. 1, they should just remain inside their houses or where they are billeted, not go out as much as possible or leave if not necessary so that they will stay safe from the storm.)
Mariano likewise said authorities have not yet conducted preemptive evacuation in affected areas but are ready to do so should the need arise.
He added that all disaster-related agencies were on alert and have already prepositioned rescue and clearing equipment and relief goods.
“Ang manpower natin, mga rescuers, mga doctor, at iba pang emergency workers ay naka-standby na,” the OCD official further noted.
(Our personnel, the rescuers, doctors, and other emergency workers are already on standby.)
He then assured the public that the OCD and other concerned government agencies have enough funds for calamity response.
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