VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) -- Due to Tropical Depression 'Amang,' all levels of classes in both public and private schools across Catanduanes province have been suspended since yesterday, April 11, Tuesday. Eleven (11) municipal mayors of Catanduanes issued a localized memorandum to suspend clases for the safety and welfare of the students and faculty members.
The class suspensions cover classes in pre-school level, secondary level and tertiary level and is in effect until TCWS over Catanduanes has been lifted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 4:00 AM today, April 12, the center of Tropical Depression “Amang” was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of San Andres, Catanduanes (13.5°N, 123.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 60 km/h, and central pressure of 1006 hPa moving Westward at 15 km/h and strong winds extending outwards up to 200 km from the center.
Catanduanes is still under Signal No. 1 alongside Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Ticao Island, Burias Island, the eastern portion of Laguna (San Pablo City, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Pila, Liliw, Magdalena, Majayjay, Luisiana, Cavinti, Pagsanjan, Santa Cruz, Lumban, Kalayaan, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Famy, Santa Maria, Mabitac), Aurora, Quezon, and the eastern portion of Rizal (Tanay, Pililla, Jala-Jala).
In line with this, the Philippine Coast Guard Station in Catanduanes has suspended trips of all vessels, regardless of type and tonnage within the province until lifting of typhoon signal. As of 8:00 PM yesterday, a total of 330 individuals are stranded in Tabaco Port while 15 individuals are stranded in San Andres Port.
Cebu Pacific Flight 57821 bound from Manila to Virac and Flight 57822 from Virac to Manila was also cancelled today, April 12.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and its Municipal DRRMOs are closely monitoring the situation in their respective areas of concerns for possible landslides and flashfloods. (EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)
