A LOW pressure area east of Aurora province in the Central Luzon region intensified into a tropical depression yesterday morning, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to place 19 areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
Tropical depression “Gener” was some 290 km east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province as of 4 p.m. yesterday. It was moving northwestward at 10 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, PAGASA said.
Gener, which is enhancing the southwest monsoon, was expected to bring heavy to intense rains to Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Apayao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Polillo Islands.
PAGASA is monitoring another tropical cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) — a tropical storm with international name “Pulasan.”
Pulasan was forecast to enter PAR tonight. Once inside PAR, it will be named “Helen.”
Aurelio said Pulasan, which may intensify into a severe tropical storm, is not expected to make landfall. However, it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.
Aurelio said the weather system will exit PAR on Wednesday morning.
Gener was expected to exit tonight or early morning today.
It was forecast to make landfall in Isabela or Aurora Monday night or early morning today, PAGASA said in a bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday.
“Gener will likely cross the landmass of mainland Luzon as a tropical depression, although the possibility of reaching tropical storm category or slight weakening prior to landfall is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.
It will be at the coastal waters of La Union or Pangasinan late morning today or tonight.
“Over the West Philippine Sea (after crossing the landmass), Gener may reach tropical storm category tomorrow (Tuesday) evening or on Wednesday morning,” added PAGASA.
SIGNALS
The 19 areas under Wind Signal No. 1 are Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon (including Polillo Islands).
“Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1,” PAGASA said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has over P2 billion worth of funds, food packs, and non-food relief items ready for distribution to those who will be affected by Gener.
This is on top of the food packs and non-food relief items that have been prepositioned in areas within the typhoon’s path, especially in the Cagayan Valley region, said Social Welfare Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao.
“The Department maintains over P213 million standby funds ready for any disaster response operation. We also have more than 1.7 million FFPs prepositioned in strategic warehouses and locations around the country. The DSWD is ready to provide augmentation support to localities that will be affected by the impacts of Gener,” said Dumlao, also DSWD spokeswoman.
‘FERDIE’
Dumlao said DSWD continues to assist those affected by tropical storm “Ferdie” even after the agency has delivered over P10.47 million in aid.
She said 98,274 families or 357,906 in 764 barangays in Regions IV-B (Mimaropa), V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been affected by Ferdie.
At least 14,449 families (49,236 persons) are displaced, including 10,569 families (36,348 persons) staying in 422 evacuation centers and 3,880 families (12,888 persons) staying with relatives or friends.
Dumlao said DSWD also continues to assist those affected by the continued unrest of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
She said DSWD has so far provided at least P37.67 million worth of aid to families affected by the volcano’s unrest, including P15.98 million financial aid under the assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
She said that 17,279 families (57,226 persons) in 23 barangays in (Western and Central Visayas are affected by the volcano’s activities.
A total of 1,055 families or 3,270 persons are staying in 11 evacuation centers. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
