PCG getting ready for ‘Ramon’

MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 10 a.m., 11 October 2011

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said on Tuesday that it was gearing up for Tropical Depression Ramon.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said that he has alerted all of their teams to prepare their operational control and disaster response units as Ramon threatened Visayas and Mindanao.

Liwag has also ordered all Coast Guard District Commanders to ensure the safety of residents in coastal areas, and notify and advise fishermen who still at sea to return to land.

He said that the districts have also been told to warn residents in low-lying areas against flash floods or landslides.

Liwag also reminded shipping companies to adhere to the PCG Memoradum Circular 01-09 or the “Guidelines on Movement of Vessel During Heavy Weather” which states that vessels weighing 1,000 gross tons and below would not be allowed to travel once Storm Signal No. 1 has been raised at the vessel’s origin, route or destination.

The PCG commandant said that this was to ensure the safety of passengers, vessels and properties during storms.

If Signal No. 2 is raised, “all vessels, regardless of size” will not be allowed to sail, Liwag said.

The memorandum further states that shipping vessels will be allowed to leave the port to take shelter from the storm. It added that no passenger may be carried during that trip.

Liwag said that the commanders were told to closely coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), LGUs, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) during their operations.

The PCG encouraged the public to report maritime incidents as well as violations of safety regulations (colorum vessels, overloading, not providing life jackets to passengers) by calling their hotlines: (02) 527-3877 and (02) 527-8481; or sending text messages via HOT TEXT 0917-PCGDOTC or 0917-7243682.

As of 4 a.m. the Philippine Atmospheric. Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has monitored Ramon’s center to be 360 km East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. It was forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph.

Packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center, the tropical depression continued to move closer to Eastern Visayas and Northeaster Mindanao, said the state-run weather bureau.

Signal No. 1 is up in Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Biliran and Camotes Island, Surigao Del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Camiguin Island.