TROPICAL Cyclone wind Signal no. 4 has been raised over the Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City and the whole province of Zambales as of 5pm today, Sunday (Sept. 25) as Super Typhoon Karding (Noru) continues to pack strong winds on its way towards the West Philippines Sea.

According to DOST Pag-Asa (Dept. of Science & Technology Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the eye wall of Typhoon Karding is now affecting the Polillo Islands where Typhoon Signal no. 5 is already in effect along with Aurora province, and parts of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pampanga.

Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. has activated its Central Command Center and is at the helm of the implementation of the province’s disaster preparedness plan. 

DOST Pag-Asa estimates that Typhoon Karding will directly hit Botolan, Zambales around 2AM or less than 8 hours from now.

Botolan Town Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane has called on his constituents to exercise all precautions as strong winds of the Typhoon, at warning signal no. 4, is strong enough to uproot trees, posing danger to both lives and properties.

In Olongapo City, Mayor Rolen C. Paulino Jr. has ordered the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to be on full alert to respond to any eventuality.

“Tayo ay nasa signal no. 4 na po, muli mag-ingat po tayong lahat at maghanda sa pagdating ng bagyo,” Mayor Paulino said.

Classes and work in government offices have been suspended for tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 26, both in Zambales and Olongapo, except for staff of frontline offices that are part of disaster response units.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman & Administrator Rolen C. Paulino has suspended work in government offices in the Subic Bay Freeport.

He has clarified, however, that the suspension of work only covers government offices, not private companies which, he said have the discretion to suspend work or otherwise in their respective work places.

“Only government offices lang po ang walang pasok bukas… not including private companies,” Chairman Paulino said.

Meanwhile, sea vessels docked at the piers of the Subic Bay Freeport have moved out to the safety of the open sea and avoid the path and strong winds of Typhoon Karding.

USNS Millinocket, a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport under the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command left Rivera Pier this afternoon, following the USNS John Ericsson, which already left hours earlier.

The Philippine ship BRP Antonio Luna also left its dock at the former Hanjin Shipyard, part of which is now occupied by the Philippine Navy.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has already recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. the suspension of work in government offices, excluding frontline offices, in eight regions, namely Regions 1, 2, CAR, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and 5 due to Typhoon Karding.

“The same course for action for private companies, offices, schools is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” said Dept. of National Defense O-I-C Jose Faustino, Jr., chair of NDRRMC.

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by Donald Q. Gramonte

OLONGAPO CITY – With the gradual expansion of face-to-face classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) has authorized schools to consider inclusion of more grade levels for public schools. The Kalalake National High School, under the administration of Mrs. Gemma F. Flores, Principal IV, joins all other schools in the Division of Olongapo to conduct early registration of the incoming Grade 7, and 11. students to make necessary preparations and adjustment of plans for the incoming school year. Grade 8-10 and 12 are considered pre-registered and will not need to participate in the early registration which starts at March 25 to April 30, 2022, nationwide.

As stipulated in the DepEd Memorandum No. 017, series of 2022, directing the schools to respond in the context of COVID 19 public health emergency, the conduct of early registration shall be done remotely under Alert Levels 3 to 5. In-person registration through parents and guardians may be allowed in areas under Alert Levels 1-2 provided physical distancing and health and safety protocols are strictly observed.