DAVAO CITY – Some malls in Mindanao offered their spaces as temporary shelter for those affected by typhoon Odette Thursday, Dec. 16.
In Butuan City, the SM Mall and Robinsons Place opened their doors to nearby residents affected by the typhoon offering free parking and WiFi access.
In its public service advisory on Thursday morning, SM City Butuan said the mall has prepared charging stations and a help desk. The mall also offered free WiFi and overnight parking today (Dec. 16).
Robinsons Place Butuan also said they will keep their doors open to residents in areas where flooding is experienced. The mall also offered free overnight parking, WiFi, and charging.
In Cagayan de Oro City, SM City Cagayan de Oro and SM CDO Downtown Premier also opened their malls to those needing a temporary shelter.
As of 8:00 AM, 61 families have evacuated, the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Cagayan de Oro City said.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Surigao City recorded 3,280 families staying in 48 evacuation centers.
The Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recorded at least 168 displaced families or a total of 554 individuals.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued 8:00 am Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Odette "undergoes rapid intensification" as it continues to approach the Dinagat Islands and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands.
As of 7:00 am, the center of the eye Typhoon Odette was estimated at 265 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
PAGASA said Odette has a "maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 205 km/h, and central pressure of 950 hPa."
The following areas in Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 3:
Dinagat Islands; Surigao del Norte; Tubay, Santiago, Jabonga, Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte; and Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, City of Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, the rest of the areas in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur are placed under Signal No. 2.
The following areas were also placed under Signal No. 2: Malitbog, ImpasugOng, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon, Sumilao in Bukidnon Misamis Oriental; Camiguin; Lopez Jaena, Plaridel, Baliangao, Calamba, Sapang Dalaga, Concepcion, Oroquieta City, Aloran in Misamis Occidental; and Rizal, Sibutad, Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, La Libertad, Mutia in Zamboanga del Norte.
The rest of the areas in Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur were placed under Signal No. 1.
The following areas are also placed under Signal No. 3.
Baganga, Cateel, Boston in Davao Oriental; Laak, Mawab, Nabunturan, Montevista, Monkayo, New Bataan, Compostela in Davao de Oro; Talaingod, Santo Tomas, Kapalong, Asuncion, San Isidro, New Corella in Davao del Norte; Labason, Kalawit, Tampilisan, Liloy, Salug, Godod, Bacungan, Sindangan, Siayan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Gutalac, Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte; Bayog, Lakewood, Kumalarang, Guipos, Mahayag, Dumalinao, Tukuran, Tambulig, Ramon Magsaysay, Aurora, Molave, Sominot, Tigbao, Labangan, Josefina, Pagadian City, Midsalip, Dumingag in Zamboanga del Sur; and
Titay, Ipil, Naga, Kabasalan, Siay, Diplahan, Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay.