Manila: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday ordered its attached agencies to prepare for Severe Tropical Storm Uwan (international name Fung-wong), which is forecast to reach a super typhoon category once inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by midnight or early Saturday morning. The order is based on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to government agencies to prepare and mitigate the impact of another weather disturbance, which is expected to reach super typhoon category.
According to Philippines News Agency, Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez instructed all officials of the DOTr and its connected agencies to provide regular status and assessment reports to ensure emergency response preparedness. Lopez emphasized the need for readiness before the typhoon's arrival, highlighting the President's directive to take care of stranded passengers, mitigate the storm's effects, and respond quickly to emerging situations.
Lopez has tasked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to deploy buses, trucks, and vessels to assist in immediate evacuations and relief goods distribution. The PCG was further instructed to send additional personnel to local governments for rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Additionally, the PCG, along with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), has been ordered to implement a 'no sail policy' in areas projected to be affected by Uwan. Lopez also directed various aviation and port authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), to provide food, drinks, and medical assistance to stranded passengers.
For road operations, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is to enforce a temporary toll holiday for emergency and rescue vehicles. Airlines have been reminded that rebooking fees or additional charges for affected flights are prohibited, and passengers opting for refunds should be granted full compensation.
In preparation for Typhoon Uwan, the PCG District Bicol has activated its deployable response groups (DRG) and placed all units on heightened alert. A total of 547 personnel, 18 floating assets, and nine land mobility vehicles are on standby for deployment in the Bicol Region. The first wave of DRG personnel has already been deployed to Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate, with additional teams scheduled for dispatch to Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.
The latest bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Fung-wong, now named Uwan, is outside PAR. Wind signals are currently hoisted over several areas as the storm approaches. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect for parts of Quezon, Romblon, Camarines Norte, and other regions, with Uwan located 1,175 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, moving westward at 25 kph with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness up to 135 kph.
