http://www.gmanews.tv/story/175955/typhoon...ard-south-luzonTyphoon 'Santi' changes path, heads toward South LuzonJOSEPH HOLANDES UBALDE,
GMANews.TV10/30/2009 | 02:39 PM
"Santi," the nineteenth weather disturbance to hit the country this year, has changed its path, now heading toward Southern Luzon and will likely hit the Bicol Region, Nathaniel Cruz, weather sciences bureau chief, told GMANews.TV Friday afternoon.
In its earlier advisory on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Santi was following nearly a straight path toward Central Luzon and was expected to make landfall Saturday morning.
In its 11 am advisory on Friday, Pagasa said storm signal warnings were hoisted over at least 33 areas in Luzon.
Northern Quezon and Polillo Islands were under storm signal No. 3 while those under signal no. 2 were: Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Is., rest of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Metro Manila.
Areas under signal 1 were Isabela, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Albay, Burias Is., Sorsogon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Group.
As part of government preparations, the Philippine Army said its units are "on full standby" for any emergencies that may occur due to Santi. Companies of the Multi-Role Force (MRF) or the Army Contingent for Emergency (ACE) Battalion are ready to be deployed to any locality when necessary, said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.
"Two companies of MRF Battalion are ready to be dispatched in a very short notice. With them are life-saving device and other floating assets like two rubber boats and two motorized boats," Burgos said, adding that the troops recently underwent special training on disaster rescue.
A company is composed of roughly 100 men while a battalion, of 500 personnel.
As Santi nears, local officials have suspended commercial boat travel, stranding scores of passengers hoping to be in their hometowns for Undas, or All Souls' Day. But bus travel should still be safe until Friday afternoon, according to Cruz.
The fourth cyclone to enter the Philippine area of responsibility since the last week of September, Santi is packing maximum winds of 150 kilometers per hour. It is expected to bring rains to Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, still reeling from the havoc brought by past typhoons.
Santi,'s predecessor, "Ramil," shifted directions several times and kept much of Luzon on edge for over a week before veering away towards Taiwan and eventually Japan.
On weather maps, Santi's eye is charging like a bowling ball towards a sure strike on Aurora province. It is expected to barrel across Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, provinces hit hard by flooding caused by "Ondoy"'s epic rainfall a month ago.
Local governments have set up alarm systems, packed relief goods, and started preparing for mass evacuations in case Santi causes further injury to typhoon victims.