CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival speaks during the send-off ceremony for emergency responders for ‘Basyang’ on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Cebu City Hall grounds. (Cebu City News)
CEBU CITY – Several sea trips were suspended and classes remain cancelled after storm signal No. 2 was raised in Cebu province as tropical storm ‘’Basyang’’ intensified and moved closer to the Visayas on Thursday, Feb. 5.
According to the Coast Guard District Central Visayas, 639 passengers were stranded in various ports after 55 passenger vessels cancelled their trips on Thursday.
Areas placed under Signal No. 2 were Samboan, Malabuyoc, Oslob, Ginatilan, Alegria, Dalaguete, Boljoon, Alcoy, Santander, Argao, Badian, and Moalboal. The rest of Cebu was placed under Signal No. 1.
Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco, acting governor while Gov. Pamela Baricuatro is on official trip, issued Executive Order No. 5 suspending in-person classes on all levels to allow students and teachers to prepare for the storm.
“The national weather bureau has advised disaster risk reduction offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property, as rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas,” Soco said.
In Cebu City, buses were deployed to provide free rides for commuters who may be affected by the adverse weather.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), said the deployment of free buses started at 4 p.m. Thursday.
A total of seven buses were deployed to service major corridors in the city’s northern and southern districts.
Mayor Nestor Archival led the send-off ceremony for CCDRRMC personnel deployed for Basyang Thursday.