𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province is now better prepared to face Tropical Storm #BasyangPH after learning from the impacts of previous typhoons.
But she warned the public against complacency and urged continued vigilance.
“Akong giawhag ang katawhan nga maminaw ug mo-follow ug morespetar ta sa instructions sa atong mga mayors ug sa atong local disaster risk and reduction management office kay nag-monitor na sila sa bagyo kuyog namo,” Gov. Baricuatro said during an interview while she was at the Mananga River Bridge in Talisay City.
The governor inspected conditions at the Mananga River on Friday morning, February 6, as Cebu braces for the storm’s possible landfall in southern areas of the province.
Last year, the river overflowed due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Tino, washing out riverside communities. Since then, authorities have barred residents from rebuilding homes along the riverbanks, which are classified as no-build zones under the law.
RELIEF ITEMS, EQUIPMENT READY
Gov. Baricuatro said preparedness efforts have significantly improved this time around.
“Karon preparado na ta, kabalo na ta what to expect. We will make sure there is less gyud ang impact ug damage sa atong katawhan,” she said.
Reports from the Provincial Warehouse show that 9,535 packs of relief items are ready for distribution to affected communities, even as Capitol workers continue repacking additional relief goods.
These relief items include:
*3,500= Family Food packs
*1030 = sleeping kits
*1,052= Kitchen kits
*1657 = Hygiene kits
*2,150 packs= 350ml water (28 bottled/pack)
*146 packs = 500ml water (24 bottled/pack)
The governor added that mobile kitchens have already been dispatched to southern Cebu, including Moalboal, and can immediately provide hot meals to evacuees who are not expected to cook in evacuation centers.
“Ready na for deployment ang packed meals, naa sa Moalboal, kay di pa man kaluto ang naa sa evacuation centers. So we want to make sure nga naay makaon, water and food nga available,” she said.
She also met with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways last night immediately after returning from an overseas trip to request that heavy equipment be pre-positioned in strategic areas of southern Cebu for possible clearing operations once the storm passes.
CHINA TRIP CUT SHORT
The governor had traveled to Fujian, China — Cebu’s sister province — to lead an official delegation aimed at strengthening partnerships in commerce, tourism, and medical exchange, as well as to benchmark a waste-to-energy facility.
Originally scheduled to return on Saturday, Gov. Baricuatro decided to cut her trip short and arrived back in Cebu on Thursday.
“Dili gyod ko mahimutang didto, doing a diplomatic job knowing nga kita diri nay moabot nga Basyang,” she said. “What’s the point? Nabahin gyud akong hunahuna, so I decided to come back.”
Despite the shortened visit, she said she was still able to meet with Fujian’s governor to discuss expanded cultural and medical exchanges and the possible reestablishment of direct Cebu–Xiamen flights.
The Provincial Government continues to monitor Basyang and urges Cebuanos to follow official advisories and safety instructions.
“Di lang gyod mokumpyansa,” the governor said. “We are lucky that this time, our PDRRMO is more equipped to help our people.” | CAPITOL PIO
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