By Ben O. Tesiorna

Davao Oriental is placed under signal number 3 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as of 10 a.m.  Monday, December 3, 2012.

Mati City is however experiencing a fair weather Monday morning, but due to PAGASA’s advisory, the City Government opted to suspend classes in all levels as a precaution.

Edgar Salanio of the Mati City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council went on air over the radio Monday morning declaring as well the suspension of work in all government offices per Executive Order No. 66.

EO 66 issued by President Benigno Simeon Aquino mandates the automatic suspension or cancellation of classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices upon declaration by PAGASA of a Signal #3 in the said area.

Aside from Davao Oriental, areas under Signal #3 are Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Siargao, Dinagat, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. These provinces could experience winds of 101-185 kph within 18 hours.

Areas under Signal #3 could sustain heavy damage to agriculture, with some large trees uprooted, majority of nipa and cogon houses unroofed or destroyed, considerable damage to structures of light to medium construction, moderate to heavy disruption of electrical power and communication services. 

Travel by land, sea and air is also dangerous under this signal.

Areas under Signal #2 meanwhile are Southern Leyte and Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.

Cuyo Island, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu and Siquijor, Zamboanga Provinces, Lanao Provinces, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and Maguindanao are meanwhile placed under Signal #1.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 15 to 30 mm per hour (heavy - intense) within the 600 km diameter of the typhoon.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal #3 and signal #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by the typhoon.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are also advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao.  BOT