Super typhoon Bavi, locally named Inday upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), is not expected to directly hit Cebu province. However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned that the storm will enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing cloudy skies, scattered rains, and gale force winds to the region.
Expected Rainfall and Wind Conditions
Pagasa Visayas weather specialist Ever Tenio said Metro Cebu will experience light to moderate rains from Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11, with less than 15 millimeters of rainfall per day. Tenio explained that Bavi will intensify the habagat, leading to cloudy conditions and gale force winds in the Visayas region.
As of 3 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, the tropical cyclone was moving west-northward 2,010 kilometers east of Central Luzon. It is expected to enter PAR on Tuesday night or early Wednesday, July 8, and exit PAR on Saturday, July 11.
Provincial Government Preparedness
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) focal person Dennis Francis Pastor assured the public that preparations are in place. “We are also monitoring with Pagasa and other agencies. At the moment, we already have rescue boats, and our responders are on standby,” Pastor said during a press conference at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday.
The PDRRMO is focusing on disaster-prone areas, particularly near rivers in Barangay Cotcot in Liloan, Toledo City, and Balamban town. The office has finalized emergency preparations and is actively coordinating with local government units (LGUs).
Mandaue City Alert and Drills
In Mandaue City, the City Government remains on high alert due to the unpredictable weather brought by the habagat. Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) head Buddy Alain Ybañez said the typhoon will not directly affect Mandaue, but the city maintains its disaster preparedness measures because the southwest monsoon can still cause sudden downpours and localized disturbances.
Ybañez noted that the habagat may bring alternating extreme heat and sudden rainfall. The MDRRMO has been updating barangay contingency plans for the past two months, focusing on each community’s top two hazards, which commonly include flooding, fire, and landslides. Unlike other LGUs, Mandaue City requires all barangays to prepare their own contingency plans, including evacuation strategies and camp management plans for designated evacuation centers.
Community Evacuation Drills
The MDRRMO launched a series of community disaster preparedness activities across five clusters: Kabukiran, Kadagatan, Centro, Mahiga, and Butuanon. The first evacuation drill was conducted on Saturday, July 4, in the Kadagatan Cluster. The remaining drills and resilience forums are expected to be completed by July 15. Ybañez emphasized that the City continues to update its measures to address current risks and strengthen community readiness during emergencies.
