Metro: Manila-Basco flights canceled Monday
Metro: 3.5K cops to secure Undas in metropolis
Metro: Marina urges shipping firms to inspect vessels for Undas trips
Metro: Coast Guard on alert for Undas
Metro: Number coding suspended on Nov. 1 and 2, 2018
Region: Walang Pasok: Class suspensions for October 29
Region: PRO3 to deploy 6,000 cops for safe Undas
BPO: Bills eye BPO workers’ welfare
Expats: Italian, Pinay girlfriend fall ‘victims’ to Boracay thieves
Weather: Northern Luzon braces for supertyphoon

 

Metro: Manila-Basco flights canceled Monday

By Faye Orellana | Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer | Date: October 29, 2018 

The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Monday said that some domestic flights were canceled due to inclement weather. In an advisory, the Miaa said that the following flights were canceled as of 7:20 a.m.

 CebGo

DG 6009  Manila – Basco
DG 6010 Basco – Manila 

The province of Basco, Batanes, has been placed under Signal No. 1 due to the threat of Typhoon “Rosita.” 

Other areas in the northern section of the country were also placed under Signals No. 2 and 1 due to the typhoon, the state weather bureau said. 

Rosita has maximum sustained winds of 170 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness up to 210. It is moving west-southwest with a speed of 15 kph.

Metro: 3.5K cops to secure Undas in metropolis

By Zaida Delos Reyes | Source: People’s Tonight | Date: October 29, 2018 

More than 3,500 policemen will be deployed in several areas in Metro Manila, particularly near the vicinity of cemeteries, to ensure a peaceful observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. 

This was announced yesterday by NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar, who said the deployment is part of the security measure for “Ligtas Undas 2018”. 

The deployment will start on October 31 until November 2, 2018. 

The NCRPO chief also ordered all police units to double the police visibility and intensify police operations to ensure public safety and protection in the whole Metro Manila. 

He said the NCRPO also established joint multi- agency cooperation and support mechanism with other government agencies and counterparts, including Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), local government units and volunteer groups to serve as force multipliers in providing maximum security and public safety to include motorist assistance amd traffic management along routes leading to different areas of interest such as cemeteries, terminals, train stations, seaports and airports. 

“The deployment of NCRPO personnel will serve as augmentation in the conduct of preventive patrol operations, anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns,” Eleazar said. 

In line with these, Eleazar said beat patrollers with K9 handlers and explosive ordnance experts will be posted in identified key security areas and vital installations. 

“I already instructed all the district directors for the full implementatiom and supervision of all its resources from personnel, mobility and other logistical requirements for the smooth amd successful deployment amd operation on their respective areas of responsibility,” he said. 

Eleazar also appealed to the public for their cooperation and support to achieve peaceful observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. 

“Mga kababayan, ang pangunahing prayoridad ng Team NCRPO ay ang inyong kaligtasan at kaayusan ng ating pamayanan. Gayundin, hinihingi po namin ang inyong kooperasyon at suporta sa ating mga kapulisan para sa isang mapayapa at matiwasay na paggunita sa ating mga mahal sa buhay na namayapa na,” he said. 

Metro: Marina urges shipping firms to inspect vessels for Undas trips

By Faye Orellana | Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer | Date: October 29, 2018

 The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) urged shipping companies on Saturday to conduct a safety inspection of their vessels in preparation for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’s Day — collectively known as Undas. 

“In observation of the upcoming holiday, the Marina directed domestic shipping companies, operators, charterers, and ship management agents to uphold their roles and responsibilities in achieving and maintaining high standards of safety,” Marina said in a statement. 

Marina also urged the maritime sector to establish safeguards to prevent any untoward incident. 

It also directed stakeholders to immediately report any incident that happened on their vessels while at sea and improve their preparations in case of emergencies. 

In addition, the Marina vowed to continue to monitor any possible risk on sea transport due to inclement weather together with other transportation sectors. 

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Typhoon “Rosita,” internationally known as “Yutu,” would affect the the northern section Luzon and the eastern section of Central Luzon between Tuesday and Wednesday. 

As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, Rosita was located at 1,214 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. 

Metro: Coast Guard on alert for Undas

By Evelyn Macairan | Source: The Philippine Star | Date: October 29, 2018

 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is on heightened alert with the expected increase in the number of sea travelers during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. 

PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said PCG personnel were ordered to remain vigilant and implement measures to ensure the safety of sea travelers as Typhoon Rosita entered the country. 

“Our Northern Luzon district will be on alert. It was instructed to monitor… small passenger boats and fishing vessels… They would have to check on areas where PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) would raise storm warning signals will be raised,” Balilo said. 

He said no vessels would be allowed to sail if the point of origin and intended route or destination are under storm warning signal. 

Meanwhile, Admiral Elson Hermogino, PCG commandant, ordered all PCG units to tighten security at ports and ferry terminals as they implement “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.” 

Hermogino said PCG units should be ready to respond to any maritime incident.  

Metro: Number coding suspended on Nov. 1 and 2, 2018

Source: GMA News | Date: October 29, 2018

 The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the number coding scheme will be lifted on Thursday, November 1, and Friday, November 2. 

Both days are non-working holidays. 

In spite of the holidays, the MMDA said all of its enforcers will be on duty to assist motorists traveling on All Saints’ Day (Undas) and All Souls’ Day. 

The number coding scheme bans certain vehicles on the roads depending on the last digit of their license plates. 

 Region: Walang Pasok: Class suspensions for October 29

Source: The Philippine Star | Date: October 29, 2018

 Typhoon Rosita (international name: Yutu) entered the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday morning. The storm is expected to make landfall over the area of Cagayan and Isabela on Tuesday. 

Starting Monday evening, northern and central Luzon will experience moderate to heavy rains due to the typhoon, which will bring very strong winds in these parts of the country on Tuesday morning. 

‘Rosita’ to make landfall over Cagayan-Isabela area Tuesday; storm signals up Sunday

The storm is moving west at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 200 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 245 kph. 

The eastern section of northern and central Luzon might be placed under tropical cyclone warning signals on Sunday evening, government meteorologists said. The lowest storm alert could be raised over Metro Manila on Monday night. 

Below appears the list of areas with class suspensions for Monday, October 29, due to Typhoon Rosita: 

All levels: 

Cagayan Province (Public and private) 

Isabela (Public and Private) – Until Wednesday, October 31  

Region: PRO3 to deploy 6,000 cops for safe Undas

By Bernard Galang | Source: People’s Tonight |  Date: October 29, 2018 

To ensure zero crime incidence during the observance of Undas 2018, some 6,000 police personnel will be deployed to cover all cemeteries and transport terminals round-the-clock from October 27 until the evening of November 2. 

This was bared by Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, who said that Motorist Assistance Centers with road safety marshals will also be set up in major thoroughfares and secondary roads in the region to guarantee public safety and security during the observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, 2018. 

“I have directed our city and provincial directors from the different police offices to continuously conduct police focused operations and sustain the level of alertness and vigilance to ensure maximum police presence in all places of convergence including churches so as to assure our public of a safe and secure Undas 2018. Also, the entire PNP in the region will be on full alert status,” he said. 

Corpus cautioned the public against bad elements who want to take advantage of the observance period. 

“I want to remind our public to also be wary and alert so as not to give lawless elements the opportunity to carry out their nefarious activities. While we have already disseminated all safety tips including BLOWBAGETS for those who will travel with their own vehicles, we will also have our police assistance desks in place in the different places of engagement. We advise the public not to hesitate to report any incident to the police in your nearest police station or thru PNP hotline number 0999-883-8327/0917-623-4700,” he added. 

Earlier, prompt police response resulted in the arrest of a robbery-holdup suspect in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. 

Corpus identified the suspect as Bernie Santos, of Bgy. Dela Paz, Tarlac City, who was arrested by police authorities after his victim, identified as Jessa Mendoza, sought the help of members of Mabalacat City police, who were patrolling along MacArthur Highway in Bgy. Camachile. 

Recovered from Santos’ possession were a sling bag containing one Smith and Wesson cal. .38 revolver loaded with six live ammunition, a screw driver and a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and illegal drug paraphernalia. The looted item, an Oppo F9 cellular phone worth P20,000, was also seized from him.

 

BPO: Bills eye BPO workers’ welfare

By Jester P. Manalastas | Source: People’s Journal | Date: October 29, 2018 

The House Committee on Labor and Employment chaired by Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting prior to the congressional adjournment, has started deliberating on measures which provide for the welfare of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers.

Among the bills tackled by the committee  was House Bill No. 2225 entitled  “An Act Increasing the Night Shift Premium Pay in Business Process Outsourcing Firms in the Philippines,” authored by Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangundadatu. 

Also pending for consideration is the House Bill 5728 or “An Act Ensuring the Rights, Welfare and Safety of the Workers in the IT-BPO Industry in the Philippines” filed by Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas. 

Mangudadatu’s bill proposes to increase the mandated additional pay for work done in graveyard shifts from 10 percent to 25 percent of the regular rate per hour. 

Vargas meanwhile proposed government should ensure that the 1.2 million employees are protected not just of their rights but also their welfare particularly their health condition.

Expats: Italian, Pinay girlfriend fall ‘victims’ to Boracay thieves

By Jennifer P. Rendon | Source: Daily Guardian | Date: October 29, 2018

 An Italian and his Filipina girlfriend claimed losing cash and personal belongings to alleged thieves as Boracay Island opened its doors to tourists. 

The alleged theft happened 7:28 p.m. of Oct.26, 2018 in front of a restaurant of Station 2 in Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. 

Police identified the complainant as Fabio Sidri, 44, who was staying at Reef Retreat Hotel at Sitio Bolabog in Balabag village. 

Sidri claimed that he and his girlfriend were walking from Hobbit Tavern Restaurant inside D’Mall going to the beachfront when they passed by Aria Restaurant. 

The Italian claimed that his girlfriend noticed that the black bag he was carrying was already open. 

He then checked and claimed to have lost his black wallet containing two credit cards, his driver’s license, assorted cards, US $60, and more or less P15,000 cash. 

Sidri suspected that four male persons and another woman conspired in stealing his wallet. 

Chief Inspector Bryan Gregorio, Western Visayas deputy spokesperson, said investigators are validating the alleged theft case. 

“Investigators have to check why his companion did not reacted when they apparently saw of the presence of the five suspicious persons,” Gregorio said. 

Police will also gather statement from individuals near the area where the supposed incident happened. 

A day prior to Boracay’s re-opening following a six-month closure, hundreds of policemen and other security officers have shown their skills through a capability demonstration seminar. 

They responded to scenarios of drowning, bomb threat and bombing, kidnapping and active shooting in maritime interdiction, hostage-taking, aerial search and rescue, and fire fighting. 

It was in the same occasion that Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albaylde announced that they have restructured the police units deployed in Boracay Island and in mainland Malay “to deal with the anticipated heavy influx of tourist arrivals upon the formal opening. 

The move is done to create a seamless but contiguously defined areas of jurisdiction under the Malay Municipal Police Station manned by 413 personnel, he added. 

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has deployed an additional of more than 200 for the island’s re-opening. 

Their deployment would depend on the security and threat assessment. 

 

Weather: Northern Luzon braces for supertyphoon

By Jeannette I. Andrad | Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer | Date: October 29, 2018 

Supertyphoon “Rosita” (international name: Yutu), a Category 5 “Yolanda-like” storm that ravaged Northern Marianas on Thursday, is expected to make its strength felt in most of Luzon on Monday ahead of its landfall. 

One of the world’s strongest tropical cyclones, Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) barreled through the Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013, killing thousands. 

Yutu, which packed maximum sustained winds of close to 300 kilometers per hour when it struck Northern Marianas, is forecast to make landfall on Tuesday in Isabela and Cagayan provinces.

Starting Monday, weather forecasters said Rosita’s moderate to heavy rains were likely to cause floods and landslides in northern and central luzon. 

Strong to very strong winds are also expected to affect the eastern section of northern and central Luzon. 

Storm Signal No. 1 may be hoisted in Metro Manila by Monday night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). 

Strongest this year 

Yutu was the strongest to hit any part of the United States this year. 

The supertyphoon ripped off roofs, overturned cars, toppled trees and killed a woman who took shelter in an abandoned building that collapsed. 

Others were injured, including three people who needed surgery. 

Yutu packed maximum sustained winds of 290 kph as it passed over the islands of Tinian and Saipan, according to the US National Weather Service. 

By Saturday, power was still out across Saipan, with 50,000 residents, and Tinian, with 3,000 people. 

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo assured the public that government agencies were well-prepared and well-coordinated to ensure the minimum loss of lives and destruction from Rosita. 

Landslide in Itogon 

As Rosita approached northeastern Luzon, geologists warned that widespread rain and winds could trigger another landslide in the mining town of Itogon, Benguet province, and urged the local government to keep people away from danger zones. 

“Try to imagine the landslides as open wounds. They’re called landslide escarpments and the possibility remains high these areas would collapse some more if a new storm as strong as [Typhoon] ‘Ompong’ comes our way,” Fay Apil, Cordillera director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said on Sunday. 

Ompong brought rains and winds that killed 116 people in the Cordillera, and displaced 74 families in Benguet and Apayao provinces. Most of the fatalities were buried by landslides along illegal mining tenements in Itogon. 

Same track as Ompong’s 

The government has forcibly relocated families living near landslide-prone areas, which have been designated as danger zones, Apil said. 

The weather bureau said Rosita would take the same track as Ompong’s. 

As of 3 p.m. on Sunday, Rosita was spotted 760 km east of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum winds of 200 kph and gusts of up to 245 kph moving west at 20 kph.

 Pagasa advised residents in the coastal areas of Isabela and Cagayan to brace for a storm surge.

 A storm surge—life-threatening floods caused by rising seawater and high waves moving inland—are expected to reach 3 to 4 meters in the area.

 Residents near low-lying coastal communities are advised to stay away from the coast or beach, cancel all marine activities, and proceed to higher ground or designated safe evacuation areas.

 Pagasa advised fishing boats and other small vessels to stay away from the sea with travel risky over the seaboards of northern and central Luzon as well as the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao.

 Strong to gale-force winds are expected on the seaboards of northern and central Luzon particularly in the provinces of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales and Bataan, where sea conditions will be rough to very rough with waves as high as 2.6 to 5.5 meters.

 In Pangasinan province, gale warnings prompted the Alaminos City tourism office on Sunday to stop small boats from sailing to the Hundred Islands National Park. The park was closed to tourists at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

 Weather:

Synopsis: Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao.

TROPICAL CYCLONE: WARNING

TYPHOON “ROSITA” HAS MAINTAINED ITS STRENGTH AS IT MOVES CLOSER TO ISABELA-AURORA AREA.

• Stormy weather is expected over the areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 2.
• Strong to very strong winds are expected to affect the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon starting today (29 Oct.).
• Moderate to heavy rains directly associated with the Typhoon will be experienced over Northern and Central Luzon starting today (29 Oct) evening. Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with disaster risk reduction and management offices, and to continue monitoring for updates.
• Storm surge is possible over the coastal areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.
• Fisherfolks and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of areas with TCWS and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
• Expected to make landfall over Isabela-Aurora area by tomorrow (30 Oct.) morning.
• “ROSITA” is expected to exit PAR by Wednesday (31 Oct.).

 Location of eye/center: At 7:00 AM today, the eye of Typhoon “ROSITA” was located based on all available data at 510 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan or 475 km East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora (17.1°N, 126.5°E).

 Strength: Maximum sustained winds of up to 170 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 210 km/h.

Movement: Moving West Southwest at 20 km/h.

 Forecast Positions

• 24 Hour(Tomorrow morning): 55 km Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora(16.6°N, 122.5°E)
• 48 Hour(Wednesday morning):255 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur(17.3°N, 118.0°E)
• 72 Hour(Thursday morning): 490 km West Northwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur (OUTSIDE PAR)(18.7°N, 115.9°E)
• 96 Hour(Friday morning):620 km West Northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (OUTSIDE PAR)(20.2°N, 115.1°E)
• 120 Hour(Saturday morning):740 km Northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (OUTSIDE PAR)(21.9°N, 114.7°E)

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL

TCWS #2

(61-120 km/h Expected in 24 hours)

Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Polillo Island, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya

 Light to Moderate damage to high risk structures;

• Very light to light damage to medium-risk structures;
• No damage to very light damage to low risk structures
• Unshielded, old dilapidated schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and other structures of light materials are partially damaged or unroofed.
• A number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs may be peeled or blown off.
• Some wooden, old electric posts are tilted or downed.
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs/billboards
• In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken.
• Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken.
• Rice and corn may be adversely affected.
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some heavy-foliaged trees blown down.

 TCWS #1

(30-60 km/h Expected in 36 hours)

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Northern Quezon , Rizal, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Zambales, Cavite and Camarines Norte 

• Very light or no damage to low risk structures,
• Light damage to medium to high risk structures
• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities. Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged
• Twigs of small trees may be broken.
• Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage. 

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