Tropical Storm Tino has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility yesterday (November 2) prompting a full-scale mobilization across Cebu City and the province.
With thousands still displaced from the September 30 earthquake and the storm expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains, local governments are rushing to secure vulnerable communities and reinforce critical infrastructure.
The state weather bureau PAGASA has warned residents in Cebu to brace for strong winds and heavy rains as tropical cyclone Tino continues to move closer to the Visayas region.
According to Mark Gales, weather specialist of PAGASA Visayas, the weather disturbance is expected to affect parts of Central Visayas, particularly Cebu, starting Monday afternoon night until Wednesday with the most critical period projected by Tuesday morning.
‘Cebu will begin to experience the effects of the storm from Monday evening, and the most critical period will likely be by Tuesday,’ Gales told the media, adding that, by Tuesday, the storm’s circulation would have entered the Visayas area, bringing intermittent to continuous rains and strong winds. ‘By Tuesday, the storm will already be within the Visayas area,’ he confirmed.
When asked about the situation in Cebu, Gales said residents should expect gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall, especially in coastal and elevated areas. ‘Winds will start to intensify, particularly along the coasts and mountain areas,’ he said.
Gales advised local government units (LGUs) to closely monitor PAGASA bulletins and implement early preparedness measures, especially in flood-prone and landslide-prone communities.
‘We are advising LGUs to take precautionary measures as early as possible. Prepare evacuation centers, alert disaster response teams, and continuously monitor weather updates,’ he added.
He also reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel, especially during the height of the storm’s impact. ‘Safety should be the top priority. Let’s avoid traveling during heavy rains and strong winds,’ he stressed. He added that power outage is possible on those days brought about by strong winds.
Tino’s movement
Based on Pagasa weather bulletin issued at 5pm last night but valid for broadcast until the next advisory at 11:00 pm last night, severe tropical storm ‘Tino’ will move generally westward over the next three days and make its initial landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands on November 3, 2025 late evening or on Tuesday, November 4. 2025 early morning.
Afterwards, Tino will traverse Visayas and northern Palawan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 morning or afternoon.
‘Tino’ is forecast to continuously intensify and may reach typhoon category within the next 24 hours. It will likely make its initial landfall at or near peak intensity (currently forecasted around 150-165 km/h maximum winds with higher gustiness).
Rapid intensification within the next 48 hours is likely. ‘The possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out based on alternate scenarios and climatological data,’PAGASA said.
While the passage over country will trigger a slight weakening, Tino is expected to remain as a typhoon throughout its passage over the country. As of last night, Camotes Island in Cebu is already under storm signal number one including Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte in the Visayas. Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao are under the same storm signal.
The weather bureau further advised that mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced of operating ill-equipped vessels.
Cebu City on red alert
Mayor Nestor Archival convened an emergency coordination meeting with department heads and disaster response agencies to finalize operational readiness.
‘Karun nagtapok ta uban sa atong disaster response teams,’ the mayor said yesterday afternoon. ‘Together with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) nga gipangulohan ni Konsehal Dave Tumulak, ug mga department heads, we are currently holding an emergency coordination meeting in preparation for Tropical Storm Tino.’
Following the meeting, the City Council has unanimously agreed to declare Cebu City under Red Alert status due to the imminent threat of typhoon Tino. With this Red Alert, all classes in public and private schools are suspended until further notice.
Archival emphasized the urgency of preemptive action, citing the need to pre-position rescue personnel, activate additional communication systems, and ensure that all agencies are fully equipped and coordinated.
‘Ang tumong nato mao ang pagpanalipod sa katawhan sa Sugbo ug pagsiguro nga andam ang tanang ahensya sa panahon sa kalamidad,’ he added.
For private companies and establishments, the city government urges management to adopt the Red Alert protocols, allowing flexible arrangements so employees can prepare their homes and families for the possible effects of Tino.
The city government also reminded the public to keep important documents inside sealed zip bags; charge mobile phones and prepare flashlights, batteries and first-aid kits; secure vehicles and motorcycles in safe, elevated areas; and advised families near coastlines and riverbanks to move to designated evacuation centers immediately.
As part of the city’s proactive measures, the Parks and Playground Office has intensified tree-trimming operations in key areas to remove overhanging branches and clear potential obstructions that could pose hazards to residents, motorists, and properties.
The office said the effort is part of the city’s regular maintenance and disaster preparedness program, aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and damage during severe weather.
The City Government continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities as these operations are carried out.
The CCDRRMO confirmed that ambulances are now on standby, solar-powered communication systems have been activated in upland barangays such as Malubog and Malani, and barangay captains have been directed to monitor high-risk zones and ensure generator readiness.
The Department of Public Services will lead garbage clearing and identify staging areas for debris and relief operations.
The Visayan Electric and the City Engineering Office will oversee post-storm road clearing, while the Cebu Contractors Association has committed heavy equipment to support rescue and recovery.
In Northern Cebu
The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 has intensified coordination with local governments in Bogo City, Medellin, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in tent cities are being relocated to safer facilities, with tents dismantled ahead of the storm to prevent damage and injury.
Mobile kitchens from Field Offices 7, 10, and 4-A continue to serve hot meals to hundreds of families, while food packs and essential supplies have been secured in Mobile Storage Units.
In Medellin, Mayor Edwin Salimbangon convened a special Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting to assess local vulnerabilities and coordinate with the Philippine Red Cross and DepEd for the possible use of classrooms as evacuation centers.
In Daanbantayan and San Remigio, IDPs have been advised to return to their homes, if structurally safe, or relocate to modular shelters and designated evacuation sites.
In Bogo City, camp leaders at the Banban Evacuation Center agreed to temporarily dismantle tents and transfer families to isolation facilities until weather conditions stabilize.
Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of earthquake-affected areas, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro activated a special disaster plan for 11 towns and one city still recovering from the 6.9-magnitude quake. These include Sogod, Tabogon, Borbon, Bogo City, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sta. Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos-communities where thousands remain in temporary shelters.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council outlined immediate priorities: preemptive evacuation of displaced families, deployment of search and rescue teams, rapid damage assessments, and the sustained delivery of food, water, health services, and security.
The Emergency Operations Center is set to go on full activation today (November 3), with 24/7 coordination maintained with PAGASA, OCD, and local DRRM offices.
Provincial agencies have been instructed to mobilize assets for road clearing, supply transport, and law enforcement support.
As part of precautionary measures, the Cebu Province has suspended in-person classes in multiple LGUs across all districts.
Several municipalities, including Minglanilla, Carcar, Barili, Compostela, and Liloan, and Mandaue City have declared class suspensions until November 5, while others have shifted to Alternative Delivery Modes. In quake-affected zones, class suspensions remain in effect until further notice.
Both city and provincial government and the rest of the LGUs, in quake-hit areas, continue to urge residents to remain alert, prepare their households, and rely only on verified information from government sources.
As Tino moves westward across the Visayas, the focus remains clear—protect lives, preserve dignity, and ensure no community is left behind.
DSWD-7 preparations
As ‘Tino’ approaches, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, together with concerned local government units (LGUs), has intensified its coordination and preparedness measures to ensure the safety and welfare of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern Cebu.
In Bogo City, DSWD-7 camp personnel stationed at the Barangay Banban Evacuation Center and SM Cares Village convened a coordination meeting with tent leaders to discuss safety protocols and necessary preparations for the approaching storm. They agreed to temporarily dismantle the tents immediately to prevent them from being damaged or blown away by strong winds.
Similarly, DSWD-7 camp personnel deployed in the San Remigio Tent City participated in a coordination meeting led by the Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).
During the meeting, it was agreed that IDPs may temporarily seek shelter with relatives for safety, while those whose houses remain safe and structurally sound are encouraged to stay in their homes.
Others may stay in the modular shelter units established by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which are built to withstand stronger weather conditions.
In Medellin, DSWD-7 camp personnel remain in close coordination with the LGU to strengthen local preparedness measures.
Among the key agreements are the continuous weather monitoring by Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (BDRRMOs), the prepositioning of medical, response, and rescue teams, and coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the possible use of classrooms as temporary shelters for IDPs, should the need arise.
Meanwhile, in Daanbantayan, DSWD camp personnel and the LGU jointly conducted camp-to-camp visits to ensure that IDPs are informed of precautionary measures for the incoming typhoon. Each camp has already temporarily dismantled its tents to minimize risks from strong winds. Local schools and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) have also been inspected and designated as alternative evacuation sites should conditions worsen.
DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero in a statement assured that the Field Office remains proactive and ready to respond to any impact the storm may cause.
‘With the ongoing disaster response operations in Northern Cebu, we affirm that DSWD is on top of ensuring the safety and welfare of internally displaced families through our active coordination with other government agencies and local government units. We have prepositioned food and non-food items across the Central Visayas region, especially in areas where displaced families remain most vulnerable to the effects of the tropical storm,’ Lucero said.
As of November 2, 2025, DSWD-7 has prepositioned 71,535 Family Food Packs (FFPs) and 9,977 Non-Food Items (NFIs) across Cebu and Bohol Provinces to support emergency response operations.
For quake-hit areas, the following supplies have been prepositioned:
Bogo City – 1,366 Family Food Packs; San Remigio – 1,566 Family Food Packs; Medellin – 7,302 Family Food Packs; Daanbantayan – 2,300 Family Food Packs
DSWD-7 continues to coordinate closely with local authorities, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to safeguard families potentially affected by Tino.