6 fishermen from CamSur reported missing

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — At least six fishermen from Barangay Caranan, Pasacao town in Camarines Sur, were reported missing at sea amid foul weather spawned by typhoon Pedring, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said Monday.

The missing fishermen were identified as Leopoldo Nidea, 37; Doikyam Deguia, 35; Oliver Deguia, 28; Francis Basqouinia, 23; Danilo de los Santos, 29; and Domingo Harol, 16, all residents of Barangay Caranan, Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

The Camarines Sur provincial disaster council said the six fishermen were last seen on board their motor banca as they went fishing at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The RDRRMC directed various local disaster councils, on Monday, to carry out preemptive measures as Pedring hovered over Bicol bringing moderate to heavy rains.

Various provincial disaster councils suspended classes in the elementary and secondary levels in the six provinces of Bicol after public storm signal number 2 was raised in Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte provinces and storm signal number 1 in Masbate.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol advised local disaster officials in the provinces to be on heightened alert because even if Pedring would not make landfall in Bicol, it could bring heavy rains that would trigger flooding, mudflows and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas in the region.

Raffy Alejandro, OCD regional dirtector and RDRRMC chairperson, said areas frequently flooded were the towns of Malinao, Daraga, Oas Polangui, Libon, and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao all in Albay, and the Rinconada area particularly Lakes Buhi and Bato in Camarines Sur.

Often affected by landslides are villages in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Norte.

A landslide hit the Catanduanes circumferential road at Barangay Summit in Viga town; and in Barangay Laganac, Balatan town in Camarines Sur.

Authorities also received reports of floodwaters in Poblacion Baao, Camarines Sur, although the roads there remained passable to all types of vehicles.

Alejandro said authorities learned in an aerial survey of Albay and Camarines Sur that several towns in the third district of Albay and the Rinconada area in Camarines Sur remained at risk to floods and landslides during heavy rains.

Alejandro said the survey showed that the major dike system should be rehabilitated immediately.  He added that they have been consulting the Department of Public works and Highways and the National Irrigation Administration to address the problem.

“Sandbagging is not sufficient to protect the affected communities.  It is only a stop-gap measure.  It cannot stop rampaging waters that will be brought by any weather disturbance,” he said.

In Albay, the PDRRMC continues to supply food items to about 111,930 people from 22,547 families housed in evacuation camps in the towns of Oas, Polangui and Libon since Sunday.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda suspended work in national and local government offices, except those engaged in emergency response such as the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Health, as a measure to ensure zero casualty in the province.

Private firms, offices and institutions were also encouraged to send their personnel home earlier to ensure household preparedness, he said.

Domestic flights to and from the cities of Legazpi and Naga by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and Zest Air have also been suspended, airport authorities said.

The Philippine Coast Guard is keeping its “no sailing” order in effect.

As of noon Monday, there were 840 stranded passengers, 20 trucks, two cars, nine passenger buses, two cargo vessels, 12 sea vessels and 25 motor bancas in various major ports in Bicol.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said all major highways going to Metro Manila remained passable to both heavy and light vehicles.