TACLOBAN — The city government of Tacloban has suspended classes and government work on Monday, February 22, due to tropical storm Auring which will bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and Caraga Region.
In an Executive Order issued Sunday evening, Mayor Alfred Romualdez suspended the classes and all government work as “precautionary measures and in anticipation of any developments that may arise out of the weather disturbance.” since tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) #2 has already been raised in Tacloban City.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Auring is moving towards Eastern Visayas and might make landfall over Leyte by tomorrow morning.
"Moderate to heavy rains over Caraga Region and Eastern Visayas, is expected tonight through tomorrow morning wherein under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are likely during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," the weather bureau said.
Under the Local Government Code, every local executive such as governors or mayors is allowed to suspend classes as chairman of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, in accordance with the Presidential Executive Order No. 66, s 2012.
Meanwhile, Tacloban City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) released a "Red Alert Status Order" on disaster preparedness and disaster emergency response on Sunday afternoon, February 21.
Said order which was disseminated to all 138 barangays stated that CDRRMO will operate 24/7 on Red Alerts Status, and all emergency responders on standby for any eventualities associated with TS Auring. Tacloban News Update