MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Gabriela Silang is off to Surigao today (February 24) to deliver relief supplies to families in the aftermath of tropical depression Auring.

On Tuesday (February 23), PCG personnel loaded boxes of food packs, tents, sleeping kits, and bottles of alcohol aboard the BRP Gabriela Silang as well as BRP Malapascua in preparation for Wednesday’s relief supplies transport mission.

The supplies were ferried from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Head Office in Quezon City to Pier 15, Port Area, Manila using two Coast Guard boom trucks, one Coast Guard bus, and two DSWD close vans.

Private individuals who wish to extend help to the people of Surigao may drop-off donations at the PCG National Headquarters through the Coast Guard Public Affairs: 0927-560-7729 / 0930-377-5581.

Umabot na sa mahigit 500 ang stranded sa mga pantalan sa Caraga Region matapos na ipagbawal ang paglalayag ng mga sasakyang pandagat dahil sa Bagyong Auring.

Inabutan sa mga pantalan ang mahigit 500 indibidwal ng “no sail” policy o pagbabawal na maglayag sa Caraga Region matapos itaas ang storm warning signal dahil sa Bagyong Auring.

Binubuo ito ng mga pasahero, drivers, at helpers sa mga pantalan sa Surigao City at Agusan del Norte.

Nasa 223 rolling cargos naman at dalawang sea vessels ang stranded habang labing pitong sea vessels at  limang motor banca ang nakisilong sa mga pantalan.

Ipinagbawal na ng Philippine Coast Guard ang paglalayag ng lahat ng sasakyang pandagat dahil sa lakas ng alon at hangin.

Nakapagtala na rin ng pagkasira ng mga maliliit na sasakyang pandagat ang epekto ng bagyo sa Surigao Del Sur kung saan isang rescue boat pa ng coast guard ang lumubog.

Tiniyak naman ng Philippine Ports Authority na magbibigay sila ng ayuda sa mga na stranded gaya ng pagkain at matutulugan.

Sa ngayon wala pa namang naiuulat na mga pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa, subalit inaabisuhan ang mga residenteng nakatira sa mga low lying at high-risk areas na lumikas na.

Sa ngayon nakararanas na ng mga mahinang pag ulan ang ibat ibang lugar sa Caraga Region. (Raymond Octobre)

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it is ready to extend humanitarian assistance and ensure maritime safety as it braces for the effects of severe tropical storm Auring.

PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia said he has directed all coast guard units in areas that are on the direct path of ‘Auring’ to intensify precautionary measures and conduct proactive disaster response operations.

PCG districts in Southern Luzon, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao region have also been placed on heightened alert to ensure completeness and preparedness of deployable response groups and quick response teams, he added.

“Coast Guard vessels, air assets, and land mobility vehicles from the National Headquarters and major PCG units are on standby for possible augmentation during evacuation and/or rescue operations,” Ursabia said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Adminisration (PAGASA) has raised tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 in several areas in Mindanao as Auring intensified into severe tropical storm this morning.

PAGASA said Auring is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of CARAGA region on Sunday morning.

Ursabia said he has ordered the PCG Auxiliary to start initial preparations for the possible conduct of relief operations in coastal communities and residential areas that will be affected by the storm.

The storm was last spotted at 535 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kilometers per hour.

It is moving southwestward slowly and is seen to move generally westward or west-southwestward over the next 24 hours before turning northwestward on Saturday morning.