PAGASA: Sea travels may not be favorable

The weather bureau has warned travelers coming home to their respective hometown or provinces for the holidays of unfavorable sea conditions starting today until tomorrow because of the approaching typhoon Rosita.

Weather specialist Romeo Aguirre, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) station in Mactan, said that the typhoon is expected to bring strong winds that will affect the seaboards in the Visayas.

Aguirre, however, said the weather condition is expected to improve during the All Saints’ Day and Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2, respectively.

He said moderate to strong winds are expected in the entire Visayas seaboards as the typhoon crosses Luzon area, enough to generate huge waves in the open seas. Aguirre said that typhoon Rosita is expected to hit the landmass either in Cagayan or Isabela province on Tuesday morning and will leave Luzon area in the afternoon. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday.

Although gale warning may only be issued over the Eastern Visayas seaboards, Aguirre said that navigating into the seas in Central and Western Visayas may still be dangerous, especially for small vessels or boats.

Aguirre explained that while typhoon Rosita does not directly affect the Visayas region but it enhances the northeast monsoon or “Amihan.” He said passing rains may occur in isolated areas in Cebu but will only be light to moderate in intensity. Fair weather is expected in Cebu starting on Wednesday until the weekend.

DEPLOYMENT STARTS

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police will start deploying security personnel today, three days ahead of the observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena said that police personnel were assigned in cemeteries, bus terminals, and ports to maintain peace and order.

According to Abrugena, he observed during the inspection that the number of people in the terminals and those visiting the cemeteries have increased since last week.

Abrugena said there will be police assistance desks available to help the public. He also assured that there will be enough police personnel to provide security.

“Wala na kaming nakikitang problema when it comes to our augmentation, we will make sure na nasa saktong lugar na lahat ng pulis at nagpapatrolya by today,” Abrugena said.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Senior Supt. Royina Garma, on the other hand, said that her official directive to deploy personnel is on October 31 yet. However, she said the station commanders were given the discretion to deploy ahead.

Unlike in the previous years where prohibited items were confiscated, Garma said the police will no longer confiscate this time. Instead, it will be deposited in an “honesty box” near the gates of the cemeteries and the owners can get it back on their way home.

The police reminded the public that it is prohibited to bring noise amplifying equipment, gambling materials, alcohol, and sharp objects into the cemeteries.

“We are expecting na kahit anong information dissemination na natin mayroon pa rin gustong magchallenge, kaya naman we will be inviting them to the police station for appropriate procedures sa na violate nila,” Garma said.

The police also reminded the public to make sure that their homes are safe before visiting their departed loved ones. —