Maritime voyages of fishing vessels, motorboats, and other small seacraft in Visayas and Mindanao were suspended on Friday, May 24, to avoid accidents due to Tropical Depression “Aghon.”

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the affected trips include to and from Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Western Leyte, Southern Leyte in Eastern Visayas; and Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Bucas Grande Islands in Northeastern Mindanao.

The PCG also activated its deployable response groups (DRGs) in Eastern Visayas in preparation for the impact of Aghon.

“The DRGs and rescue assets are all set for immediate dispatch to assist the local government in ensuring public safety in the region,” Commodore Romeo Pulido Jr., commander of Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas District, said.

The PCG reminded all vessels to take precautionary measures and be extra vigilant in monitoring the bad weather condition.

The voyage of the vessels will resume until further notice and upon improvement of the weather and sea condition, it added.

According to a 2 p.m. weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the center of Aghon was last spotted at approximately 135 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. 

Aghon, the first tropical cyclone to hit the country this year, was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph, and central pressure of 1006 hectoPascals (hPa).

At least 18 areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Aghon slightly intensified while moving westward, the state weather bureau noted.

La Niña preparation

Meanwhile, in anticipation of La Niña, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) distributed non-food items assistance amounting to more than P8 million to the provincial government of Batanes, which is prone to typhoon.

These include seven generator sets to allow local executives to continue working during calamities, family packs, shelter repair kits, hygiene kits, and ropes that can help more than 400 families.

“We are now preparing for the rainy season and La Nina. Batanes is prone to strong typhoons and is always isolated. The key is pre-positioning adequate relief goods and equipment so these will be available immediately when they need them,” said OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.

“The local government units are at the frontline during emergencies. They are the first to help. That is why we need to empower them by enhancing their capabilities,” he added.