CARAGA Region Braces for Tropical Depression ‘Marce’

Butuan City is experiencing light to moderate rains since Wednesday as the low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has developed to Tropical Depression “Marce”.

Due to “Marce”, Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada has ordered the suspension of classes in pre-school.

DSWD-13 Regional Information Officer Eunice Montaos said the agency has prepositioned 13,000 family packs for hard to reach areas. The regional warehouse has a continuous repacking activity for additional stockpile of food packs which is now at 14,916.

The field office has available non-food items amounting to PHP1.2 million, Montaos added.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin Thursday, state weather bureau PAGASA said “Marce” was estimated at 240 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum winds of 45 kph.

It is moving west northwest at 17kph. Moderate to heavy rains is expected within the 200km diameter of the tropical depression.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) number 1 is raised in the provinces of Southern Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Provinces under signal number 1 may experience moderate to heavy rainfall as residents are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Small seacrafts are not allowed to venture out in the sea while larger seacrafts are alerted against big waves.

PAGASA said “Marce” is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Monday morning.(PNA)
JMC/NBN/EBP