Classes, boat trips halted in Davao as ‘Chedeng’ moves closer

DAVAO CITY—The provincial government of Compostela Valley on Monday ordered the suspension of classes up to high school in at least eight of 11 towns as the province prepares for the onslaught of Tropical Depression “Chedeng.”

In a memorandum, Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy ordered school officials to suspend school classes in the municipalities of Maco, Mabini, Pantukan, Mawab, Nabunturan, Maragusan, and New Bataan due to possible landslides and flooding.

The province and the rest of Southern Mindanao as well as eastern parts of Cotabato and Sarangani provinces have been placed under Signal No. 1 as Chedeng nears eastern Mindanao.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the cyclone’s center was estimated at 445 east of Davao City, packing winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. It was moving west at 20 kph.

The Coast Guard in Davao City has also ordered the cancelation of boat trips from Davao City’s Sta. Ana Wharf to Kaputian and Talikud in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Davao del Norte as early as 6 a.m.

Randy Loy, head of Compostela Valley disaster risk reduction and management council said preemptive evacuation is possible particularly in landslide and flood-risk areas.

In Davao del Norte, Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario ordered the cancelation of classes in all levels throughout the province as of 1 p.m. Monday. /kga