Albay suspends work due to Typhoon Nona

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Albay Governor Joey Salceda suspended work in the southeastern Luzon province except for disaster response as Typhoon Nona (international name Melor) was forecast to make a “direct hit” on Albay. 

Salceda made the announcement on his Facebook page on Sunday evening, December 13, as state weather bureau PAGASA raised signal number 3 over Albay. 

PAGASA said storm surges of up to 3.6 meters are possible in Albay and other areas under signal number 3, with wind of 121 to 170 kilometers per hour expected in 18 hours. 

Salceda ordered the suspension of work for Monday, December 14, in all establishments of both the public and private sectors except for government agencies responding to the typhoon.

The order initially included even banks and commercial centers like malls but Salceda later clarified that these were excluded “so our people could procure their basic necessities for an overnight.” He said local officials mistakenly overestimated the risks from the typhoon but he reiterated that the threat remains “abundant.” 

“Still, no classes. Still, no work in goverment except for [disaster risk reduction] entities. Still no work in private [companies] except for banks and malls and commercial establishments. Nevertheless, we would be happier if Pagasa is totally wrong given the monstrosity of Nona as a weather hazard,” Salceda said.

Salceda issued the order as chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. 

The governor said he cleared the order with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Office of Civil Defense. 

Besides canceling work, Albay also declared a state of imminent disaster. 

Salceda explained that the declaration was meant to allow the province’s towns, cities, and barangays (villages), along with national government agencies to use and allot reserve funds for emergency response for Typhoon Nona. 

He cited the “sudden escalation” of the storm warning signal for Albay from signal number 1 at 11 am of Sunday, to signal number 2 at 5 pm, and signal number 3 on Sunday evening. 

Salceda said Nona was forecast to “virtually cut across the entire swathe of landmass of Albay.” 

Before the declaration, the governor ordered officials to evacuate residents. 

In its 11 pm update on Sunday, PAGASA said Nona intensified as it continues to threaten the eastern part of the Philippines. The eye of Typhoon Nona was located 325 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.

Seven areas are under signal 3, 8 under signal number 2, and 11 under signal number one. 

Albay is one of the most disaster-prone provinces in the Philippines. Yet under Salceda’s leadership, it has won international and local recognition for disaster preparedness and response, and climate change adaptation. – Rappler.com