The Philippine Coast Guard’s Zamboanga City station issued a Sea Travel Advisory at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday (Nov 8), temporarily suspending trips of all vessels, regardless of type and tonnage, that ply from Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi province.
Lieutenant Commander Tristan Jener Erediano said the suspension was in reference to the 3 p.m. update from the state weather bureau about the oncoming typhoon.
Erediano also noted strong winds and rough sea conditions brought by Typhoon Uwan, hence ‘long-distance sea travel is not advisable.’
In preparation for Uwan, the local governments in Basilan province and Zamboanga City have heightened the alert level among disaster response offices and personnel.
‘Preparedness saves lives. Our priority is to make sure every member of the Provincial Response Cluster is ready and that communication lines remain open before, during, and after the typhoon,’ Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman said.
Hataman called on all local officials and barangay leaders to stay alert and disseminate accurate information to their constituents to minimize risks and damages.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways in Zamboanga Peninsula said they were ‘on full alert, ready, and strategically prepositioned across the region for the possible effects of Typhoon Uwan. /mr