All Caraga agencies on red alert due to ‘Pablo’

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines–All disaster agencies in the Caraga region were placed on red alert as authorities brace for the full impact of Supertyphoon “Pablo.”

Blanche Gobenchiong, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said high-risk areas, particularly coastal and riverside villages in the five-province region were monitored for possible flooding and landslides.

“All disaster agencies were placed on red alert ahead of the full brunt of typhoon Pablo,” Gobenchiong told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Gobenchiong said maritime operations all over the region particularly at the Butuan, Surigao and Dinagat ports have been suspended in anticipation of heavy rains and strong winds as Pablo is expected to make a landfall Monday evening.

In Hinatuan and capital town of Tandag in Surigao del Sur, forced evacuation was implemented on residents living in six coastal villages, facing the Pacific Ocean.

Classes in all levels there were also suspended.

Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas ordered suspension of classes in all levels and port operations and ferry boat trips in and out of the city were canceled.

Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante said disaster rescue and relief personnel were on stand by and evacuations sites have been readied as precautionary measure.