The City Government of Davao has suspended the conduct of face-to-face classes in all public and private schools from kindergarten to post-graduate studies, and canceled work in government offices and all vaccination activities from 12 noon of December 16, 2021, to 5 p.m. of December 17, 2021, due to typhoon “Odette”.
Based on Proclamation No. 5 Series of 2021 issued on Thursday signed by Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, classes and work and vaccination activities have been suspended or canceled following the weather advisory issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“The City Government of Davao is duty-bound to safeguard the welfare of the public and undertake measures to avert any untoward incidents or disasters that may be caused by Typhoon Odette,” the proclamation stated.
PAGASA issued General Flood Advisory #4 for Region 11 for Typhoon “Odette”, indicating that that the eye of the typhoon is estimated based on all available data at 355 kilometers East of Surigao del Norte (9.5°N, 128.7°E) with maximum sustained winds of 155km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 190 km/h;
The advisory forecasts a 12-hour rainfall for the Davao Region, indicating moderate to heavy rains that may trigger swelling in the city’s watercourses such as rivers and their tributaries, particularly Davao, Talomo, Lipadas, and Lasang.
The suspension of face-to-face classes covers kindergarten to post-graduate studies, including technical-vocational courses in all public and private educational institutions, while the cancelation of work covers all government offices, including national government offices, government agencies and instrumentalities, and government-owned and controlled corporations.
However, this does not include the safety and security, health, social services and disaster offices, which are performing emergency, disaster preparedness and response duties and Covid-19 response activities. The same exception applies to all employees performing emergency, disaster preparedness and response duties and Covid-19 response activities.
The proclamation also canceled all vaccination activities – both in on-site centers and the mobile teams.
“Private offices and establishments are given the discretion to suspend work on the aforementioned dates but are encouraged to do the same for the safety and convenience of their employees,” the proclamation reads.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) issued an advisory to all action officers and responders in the city to closely monitor their areas of responsibility for the possible impact of the typhoon.
The typhoon may bring possible flash floods or landslides due to heavy to intense with at times torrential rains and moderate to heavy damage to structures and vegetation possible due to destruction typhoon-force winds.
Based on PAGASA weather advisory Heavy Rainfall Warning No.7 issued on Thursday morning, Davao City was placed under Orange Warning Level where flooding in low-lying areas and river channels and landslides in landslide-prone areas are threatening.
The CDDRMO urged the public living near mountain slopes and in low-lying areas to take precautionary measures and be alert for the possible impact of the weather disturbance.CIO
