TROPICAL depression “Gener” made landfall in Isabela yesterday and crossed northern Luzon before heading out of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR)
Four areas remained under Wind Signal No. 1, according to a bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
These are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the western portion of Pangasinan.
Another weather disturbance, with the international name “Pulasan” is expected to enter PAR “soon,” according to PAGASA, and expected to exit at noon.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Pulasan was some 1,980 km east of extreme northern Luzon. It was moving westward at 70kph.
PAGASA on Monday said Pulasan may intensify into a severe tropical storm but was not expected to make landfall.
It will be given the local name “Helen” once it enters PAR.
Gener made landfall in Palanan, Isabela at 11 p.m. Monday and crossed the landmass of northern Luzon.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Gener was already in the West Philippine Sea, particularly some 255 km west northwest of Baguio City. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph, and moving westward at 45 kph.
PAGASA said Gener was forecast to exit the PAR Tuesday last or this morning.
It also said Gener may intensify into a tropical storm this morning.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) said it monitored heavy rains in Palawan and Occidental Mindoro due to the southwest monsoon that was enhanced by Gener.
NDRRMC spokesman Edgar Posadas said they were still awaiting reports as to the affected population.
The Department of Agriculture said Gener may have affected as much as 1.3 million hectares (ha) of rice and corn crops in five regions — Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said some P20.7 million worth of food and non-food relief items has been provided to families affected by Gener and tropical storm “Ferdie” which hit the country earlier.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. welcomed a resolution of the Metro Manila Council banning swimming, playing, and wading in floodwaters as a means to prevent an increase in leptospirosis and other flood-related diseases.
Herbosa, at a briefing after the sectoral meeting in Malacañang, said the MMC resolution was approved last week. He also said he was “very happy” the local chief executives sided with him because leptospirosis “is really expensive, you end up at ICU.”
Herbosa said at least 30 deaths due to leptospirosis have been recorded as of August 30.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has passed a regulation barring Metro Manila residents from swimming in floodwaters for fun. The MMDA said penalties and other rules will be set by the 17 Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) in their respective ordinances.
Herbosa said under the MMC resolution, the passage of ordinances specifying penalties for violators would be left to the Metro Manila LGUs.
Exempted from the ban are those who may be forced to go out because of emergencies such as saving properties and other persons.
Herbosa said San Juan City has an ordinance which imposes a penalty of P500 to P1,000 if the violator is a child and P1,000 to P2,000 for adults. — With Jed Macapagal and Jocelyn Montemayor
