ILOILO City – Tropical depression “Usman” is forecast to pass Western Visayas on Dec. 28 and 29. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the region urged fishermen not to venture out to sea on those days.
“Usman” is making a landfall over at Eastern Samar on Friday and go out of the country on New Year’s Eve, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
In an advisory, PCG Region 6 reminded fishermen to secure their boats.
It would also be cancelling boat trips if necessary “para sa safety sang pasahero,” said Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica, spokesperson of PCG-6.
“Usman” is the 21st tropical cyclone to visit the country this year.
The Philippines is visited by an average of 30 tropical cyclones annually.
According to Palabrica, PCG-6 issued an advisory this early to give the public enough time to prepare for the storm.
PCG-6 itself has started preparing its rescue equipment such as rubber boats, he said.
As of 10 .m. yesterday “Usman” was 775 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur, packing top maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and 65 kph gusts, according to Pagasa.
It may intensify before it makes a direct hit in the Visayas, the state weather bureau said.
Pagasa weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said “Usman” may strengthen into a tropical storm today. From Eastern Samar it is forecast to plow through northern Cebu, Leyte, Panay Island and Masbate before heading to the Sulu Sea and Palawan./PN
