Along with 9 other provinces, Zambales is still under Signal no. 2 as of Saturday afternoon, September 15

STRONG WINDS. The northern towns of Zambales are battered by Typhoon Ompong. Photo by Randy Datu

ZAMBALES, Philippines – Some 1,605 families, or a total of 5,520 individuals, were evacuated from 9 towns here due to Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut).

Strong winds battered the northern towns of the province Saturday morning, September 15. As of Saturday afternoon, Zambales was still under Signal No. 2.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said that 9 of the province’s 13 towns were the most affected, especially the northernmost town of Sta. Cruz, where some 969 families or 3,279 persons were taken to 28 evacuation centers.

In Candelaria town, 215 families were evacuated, while 200 families in Masinloc were moved to safer areas. In Palauig, 46 families were evacuated; 122 in Botolan; 7 in San Antonio; 19 in San Marcelino; 23 in Castillejos; and 4 in Subic town.

CLEARING. Residents and rescue workers clear debris in Zambales. Photo by Randy Datu

The capital town of Iba and 3 other towns were not badly affected.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council maintained a red rainfall alert over Zambales and Bataan as of 12 noon Saturday, warning of flooding in low-lying areas and those near the rivers.

source: rappler.com

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source: SBMA Labor Msd FB Page

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Typhoon “Ompong” gained speed while changing its direction Thursday afternoon.

Ompong,’ the 15th to threaten the Philippines this year, has practically placed the entire Luzon area under Signal 1, has prompted thousands to evacuate ahead of its heavy rains and fierce winds set to lash the northern Philippines before moving on to China

“Ompong” was spotted 560 kilometers northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, moving west northwest at 25 kph, the weather bureau said in its 4 pm bulletin.

Forecaster Nikos Peñaranda of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned that storm surges of six meters or 19 feet high could hit the coasts of Cagayan, Isabela, Aparri, Palanan and Ilocos Sur as “Ompong” approaches the Luzon landmass.

“Based on historical storm surge data, such [A strong] typhoon could trigger five- to six-meter high storm surges,” he said.

“We will consistently issue advisories to our fisherfolk. Right now, don’t venture out to sea, especially in areas where warning signals have been raised,” he added.

“Ompong” is forecast to become a super typhoon before making landfall.

resident Rodrigo Duterte (center) monitors the path of Typhoon ‘Ompong’ at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kms per hour and gusts of up to 255 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 1 was raised over Metro Manila and 37 provinces or nearly the entire Luzon.

The areas under Signal No. 1 include Batanes; Cagayan, including Babuyan Group of Islands; Apayao; Abra; Kalinga; Mountain Province; Ifugao; Isabela; Benguet; Pangasinan; La Union; Ilocos Norte; Ilocos Sur; Quirino; Nueva Vizcaya; Aurora; Pampanga; Bataan;
Zambales; Tarlac; Nueva Ecija; Bulacan; Rizal; Cavite; Batangas; Laguna; Quezon, including Polillo Island; Northern Occidental Mindoro; Northern Oriental Mindoro; Masbate; Camarines Norte; Camarines Sur; Catanduanes; Albay; Sorsogon; Burias and Ticao island, and Northern Samar.

The weather bureau said “Ompong” will make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning if it does not change its direction.

Gener Quitlong, Pagasa forecaster, said those to be affected by the powerful typhoon and the concerned government agencies still had about 36 hours to prepare.

Pagasa forecaster Rene Paciente likened Typhoon “Ompong’s” strength to that of Super Typhoon “Lawin” (Haima), which hit northern Luzon in October 2016, leaving at least eight people dead.

The bureau previously said that “Ompong” will likely peak at 220 kph in maximum sustained winds with gusts of 270 kph, a little weaker than Lawin’s 225 kph top sustained winds.

The typhoons are also similar in diameter, Pagasa noted, with Ompong measuring 900 kilometers and Lawin 800 kilometers.

In Northern Luzon, heavy to intense rains will persist today and will peak on Saturday when “Ompong” makes landfall.

According to Pagasa, Baguio City and Tuguegarao will receive the highest rainfall on Saturday, while monsoon rains also will bring occasional heavy rains to Palawan, Zamboanga and the Visayas.

Chris Perez, forecaster, said only the “outermost periphery” of Metro Manila would be affected by “Ompong.”

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday designated presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino as his conduit for preparations and disaster response.

Duterte also tasked Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad, and Tolentino to closely monitor the provinces in Northern Luzon along Ompong’s expected path.

The President said he was satisfied with the typhoon preparations.

Meanwhile, 30 domestic flights scheduled for Friday and Saturday have been canceled by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, in anticipation of bad weather.

PAL announced on Thursday it has suspended four flights—Clark to and from Basco and Tuguegarao —scheduled today (Sept. 14) and eight other domestic flights—Manila to and from Laoag, Clark to and from Basco, and Clark to and from Tuguegarao scheduled on Sept. 15.

“In view of the existing current path and strength of Typhoon Ompong (International Codename ‘Mangkhut’), Philippine Airlines has canceled the following flights originally scheduled on September 14 (Friday) -September 15 (Saturday),” said Maria Cielo Villaluna, PAL corporate communications department chief and spokesperson.

On the same dates, Cebu Pacific and its sister airline CebGo also canceled domestic flights affecting 18 flights in Manila to and from Tuguegarao, Virac, Basco, Naga, Cauayan.

Both airlines are closely monitoring the weather situation and assured air travelers they will provide updates should other routes be affected.

Heavy rains are expected in Northern and Central Luzon as well as the National Capital Region throughout the weekend until Monday.

PAL encouraged passengers to check the status of their flights within 48 hours to flight departure by logging on to the airline’s flight status page or by downloading the PAL Mobile App.

Cebu Pacific officials, on the other hand, advised affected passengers not to proceed to the airport, but instead avail any of the options, without penalties: rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date; place the cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund for future use, or get a full refund.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal earlier asked passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines for any announcements of flight cancellations, rescheduling, or rebooking of flights in anticipation of Typhoon Ompong’s effect on flight operations.

Air Swift has also canceled four flights to and from Basco in connection with the anticipated arrival of the super typhoon.

The Civil Aviation of the Philippines has advised all airport general managers in Laoag, Tuguegarao, Basco, Legazpi, Naga and Virac to be prepared for the bad weather condition.

CAAP director general Capt. Jim Sydiongco reminded the area managers to be present and be in their respective areas before, during and after Ompong makes landfall to secure the airport especially the runway from all kinds of debris and other foreign objects that can disrupt airport operations.

Already, the typhoon has forced the cancellation of sea trips in Manila, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Negros Oriental, the Coast Guard said Thursday.

Some 2,828 passengers were stranded after their trips were canceled. The Coast Guard added that 188 rolling cargoes, 10 vessels and four motor boats were stranded in various ports.

The Palace assured the public that the government is ready for Ompong.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said several government agencies have been ordered to facilitate emergency measures to make sure that the country’s state of readiness will be at the highest level.

“The Department of the Interior and Local Government has been monitoring the preparations of the local governments, particularly their preemptive evacuation plans,” said Roque in a Palace press briefing Thursday afternoon.

Also, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has readied food packs and assistance worth P1.7 billion to aid the possible casualties of the storm. The relief goods will be distributed to the expected path of ‘Ompong’ in Northern Luzon.

“The Department of Health also prepared enough medicines, medical supplies, and deployment of medical teams to respond whenever needed,” Roque said.

“We also have deployed quick response teams in the province of Batanes and established alternative communication devices to ensure that clear line of communication as Ompong hits the country,” said Roque. “We are prepared.”

The Palace official also called on the farmers in Benguet to try harvesting the vegetables and harvest those that can be salvaged before Ompong makes its landfall in Northern Cagayan.

Typhoon Mangkhut, as Ompong is called internationally, has already blasted through the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, and was speeding across the Pacific with winds that can gust as high as 255 kilometers per hour.

Authorities said some 10 million people in the Philippines are in the storm’s path, not including millions more in heavily-populated coastal China.

Thousands began evacuating in seaside areas of the northern tip of Luzon, where the storm is expected to make landfall early Saturday.

“The pre-emptive evacuation is going on in our coastal municipalities, the villages that are prone to storm surge,” local government spokesman Rogelio Sending said. “We are going to evacuate more.”

Flooding, landslides and wind damage from the coming storm were top concerns as authorities prepared equipment for rescue and relief operations.

Schools were shuttered and some farmers took to their fields to start early harvest of corn and rice that could be ruined by flooding.

An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty.The country’s deadliest on record is Super Typhoon Yolanda, which left more than 7,350 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in November 2013.

The state weather service said Ompong will be the strongest typhoon so far this year, with sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour.

The typhoon is expected to boost the intensity of seasonal monsoon rains that have already caused widespread flooding in central Luzon.

Poor communities reliant on fishing are some of the most vulnerable to fierce typhoon winds and the storm surge that pounds the coast.

“It will bring destruction. They are the ones greatly affected. Even moderate winds can topple their houses,” regional civil defense official Dante Balao said.

Hong Kong is also in Mangkhut’s sights and preparations there were already under way, though the storm was not expected to hit until Sunday.

Social media users and radio commentators in Hong Kong said they were stocking up on food and supplies.

The Hong Kong Observatory warned residents to prepare for the storm, saying it posed a “considerable threat.”

The Philippines state weather service said heavy rains and strong winds are expected from Friday over the north and center of Luzon, along with rough seas on the coasts.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it expects “substantial damage” on the Philippine path of Ompong.

Storm surges of up to seven meters (23 feet) are expected to hit coastal areas, it said, while heavy rains could trigger landslides and flash floods.

source:< a href="http://www.manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/275494/entire-luzon-now-affected.html" target="_blank">manilastandard.net

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PHILSTAR

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) said on Wednesday that its 132,400 bags of rice infested by weevil or bukbok, imported from Thailand and docked at the Subic Bay Freeport, has been given clearance by the Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) after it has undergone fumigation.

The certificate stating that the rice is fit for human consumption was given on Sept. 10 by PQS Central Luzon Regional Manager Ronnie M. Manuel, the NFA said.

The rice was treated by BPI-accredited fumigator SSI Chemical Applications, Inc.

“The 132,400 bags rice shipment is part of the 160,000 bags allocated for distribution in Central Luzon. This will beef up the inventory of NFA rice in the agency’s warehouses in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan and Aurora,» the NFA said in a statement.

“If the weather permits, unloading of the rice shipment is expected to resume on September 13 for delivery to NFA warehouses,” it added.

The NFA has faced complaints after its stocks were found to be infested by weevil, for which lawmakers have criticized the agency aside from its failure to procure rice leading to insufficient supply in the market, resulting in higher prices of commercial rice.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has said that weevil-infested rice does not pose any threat to human health and is fit for consumption if washed properly, for which he also received public criticism.-Priceline Joy N. Ignacio

source:bworldonline.com

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The all-new Santa Fe is the brand’s first monocoque-body SUV.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari), the Philippines’ official distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, in cooperation with the Hyundai Motor Company Regional Headquarters (HMC RHQ), organized a three-day regional test drive dubbed as the “Sea to Summit Conquest” for the all-new Hyundai Sante Fe last week from Sept. 3 to 5, 2018.

Aside from the local motoring media, Hyundai flew in journalists from neighboring countries like Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore to join in the test drive.

Some 20 units of the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe were brought to Subic Bay for the 146-kilometer trek from Subic Bay to Bataan, and back.

The delegates stayed in Subic Bay’s Segara Villas. Yong Suk Lee, director of HMC RHQ, formally welcomed all, and gave a short talk on the four-generation history of the model.

“As you know, the first generation of Santa Fe was launched in 2000. It is the cornerstone of Hyundai’s longstanding SUV heritage, and the fourth-generation Santa Fe will continue to impress customers with its premium design, spacious interior, and advanced technology,” he said.

Representing Hari was Renato G. Pizarro, SVP for Strategy and Innovation, who took the opportunity to express his gratitude for being chosen as the host country for the regional test drive event.

“We are humbled by the trust given to us by the Hyundai Motor Company Regional Headquarters, and honored by the commitment given to us by our media friends from all over the region,” he said.

The regional test drive route started off in Segara Villas, and took the delegates through a scenic route to Bataan, via the North Luzon Expressway and Bataan Provincial Highway.

The international media group at Mt. Samat in Bataan

First stop was the historic Mount Samat National Shrine, dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War II.

The steep, twisty, and rough road patches became a proving ground for the all-new Santa Fe’s road manners and performance.

After Mount Samat, the next stop was another famous Bataan landmark, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

The 14-hectare resort is known for its collection of fully-restored century-old vintage and historic houses dating back to the Spanish times.

The backdrop of Old Manila allowed the delegates the opportunity to enter their photos in a contest using the Santa Fe as the main subject.

The last stop was the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, built in 1976, which is now a large reservation park.

The lush greenery and well-kept roads was ideal for driving before everyone headed back to Subic Bay.

Present during the fellowship night with the local and foreign delegates was Hari’s CEO and president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, who said: “Today will serve as the testament of the dedication, camaraderie, and refined strength exhibited not just by the people of Hyundai coming from the Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, but by each and every one who took the time to be here.”

The suggested price tag of the all-new Santa Fe is P2.338 million. It is the brand’s first monocoque-body SUV, and was first introduced at the 2018 Manila International Auto Show in World Trade Center last April.

The all-new Santa Fe is easily recognized with its 3-dimensional honeycomb patterned and much-widened cascading grille that is based on Hyundai’s new family identity, separated headlight design with LED projector lamps and dynamic bending and daytime running lights, and new diamond-cut 19-inch alloy wheels.

The convoy goes through the twists and turns of the test drive route.

The local spec model features a diesel-fed 2.2L CRDi engine with a maximum power of 200 ps/3800 rpm and maximum torque of 45 kg-m/1740-2750 rpm that perfectly matches with the improved 8-speed automatic transmission.

The monocoque structure gives a better controlled body roll and comfortable daily driving experience.

Now available in all Hyundai dealerships nationwide, the all-new Santa Fe caters to SUV buyers who appreciate the refinements of a premium SUV plus the available active safety features and improved 8-speed automatic powertrain and advanced HTRAC electronic all-wheel drive system for maximum comfort and performance.

The Hyundai HTRAC system tracks the vehicle speed and prevailing road conditions, controls the braking on the left and right wheels, and balances the distribution of power on the front and rear to ensure optimal cornering specially on slippery roads.

Its active safety features include forward, rear cross-traffic, and blind sport collision avoidance assist that warns the driver when backing out and if the vehicle detects another vehicle in blind spots.

Aside from this, its Smart Sense Active Safety system features lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and driver attention warning to provide the highest level of safety for its passengers.

Inside, cargo and leg rooms have also improved from the previous generation Santa Fe.

Hyundai Santa Fe units at Las Casas de Acuzar

Its Smart One Touch Walk-in feature allows passengers going inside to the third row to have easier access with the flick of a switch.

Hyundai also claims that side visibility has increased by 41 percent, thanks to its clever quarter glass design.

Its heads-up display (HUD) gives the driver better control, and frees him from always looking at the instrument panel.

Other tech features include Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition for Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and steering wheel cruise control.

For more information about the all-new Santa Fe, visit www.hyundai.ph or any of its 42 dealers nationwide, or Hyundai Philippines’ official Facebook page @HyundaiPH.

Source: https://motioncars.inquirer.net/

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