Signal No. 2: Province, cities ready for Basyang

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Tropical Storm Basyang (international name: PENHA) has slightly intensified as it continues to approach Eastern Mindanao, according to Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 11 issued by PAGASA at 5 p.m. yesterday (February 5).

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Basyang was estimated at 150 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.2°N, 127.7°E), packing a maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour and a central pressure of 998 hectopascals.

PAGASA said Basyang is moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour, with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 380 kilometers from the center, affecting a wide portion of the Visayas and Mindanao.

In Central Visayas, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains in effect over the southern portion of Cebu, including the municipalities of Samboan, Malabuyoc, Oslob, Ginatilan, Alegria, Dalaguete, Boljoon, Alcoy, Santander, Argao, Badian, Moalboal, Ronda, Alcantara, Sibonga, and Dumanjug. TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the rest of Cebu.

PAGASA warned that areas under Signal No. 1 may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds while minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2. The next tropical cyclone bulletin is expected at 8 p.m. last night unless significant changes occur.

PAGASA has also placed several areas in Cebu under Yellow Rainfall Warning due to the effects of Tropical Storm Basyang, according to Heavy Rainfall Warning No. 2 issued at 5 p.m. on February 5, 2026.

Under the yellow warning category, moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall is expected, which may cause flooding in low-lying areas and near river channels.

PAGASA said the areas under Yellow Rainfall Warning in Cebu include the municipalities of Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao, Badian, Barili, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Ronda, Samboan, Santander, and Sibonga, as well as the City of Carcar.

Authorities warned residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, especially those living near rivers, coastal zones, and landslide-prone locations, as rainfall may intensify depending on the movement and strength of the weather system.

Local government units and disaster risk reduction and management offices were advised to closely monitor weather updates and prepare for possible emergency responses should conditions worsen.

Basyang has prompted heightened disaster preparedness measures across Cebu province after PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal to No. 2, yesterday, over the island.

In response, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) raised Blue Alert Status and activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and coordination.

Coast Guard reports

The Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) reported that a cumulative 1,535 passengers were affected by port disruptions on Thursday, February 5, as adverse weather conditions brought by Basyang continued to hamper sea travel across the region.

Based on CGDCV monitoring reports, 448 passengers were stranded as of 8 a.m., a figure that remained unchanged at 12 noon. However, by 4 p.m., the number rose sharply to 639, pushing the total number of affected passengers for the day to more than 1,500.

Data further showed that a significant number of vessels and small watercraft sought shelter throughout the day. A total of 234 vessels were reported sheltering, along with 72 motor bancas and other small craft (MBCAs) in various ports across Central Visayas.

Cargo operations were also disrupted, with authorities recording a cumulative 943 stranded rolling cargoes. In addition, 158 vessels and seven MBCAs were listed as stranded during the three reporting periods.

CGDCV said the restrictions were imposed to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and vessels amid strong winds and rough sea conditions.

Coordination with shipping lines and terminal operators remains ongoing to manage passenger welfare and facilitate the orderly resumption of trips once conditions improve.

The CGDCV also confirmed that six Coast Guard stations under its jurisdiction issued travel advisories as a precautionary measure due to the deteriorating weather conditions. These stations are: Coast Guard Station Northern Cebu; Coast Guard Station Central Cebu; Coast Guard Station Camotes; Coast Guard Station Eastern Bohol; Coast Guard Station Western Bohol; and Coast Guard Station Southern Cebu.

The advisories include the suspension of sea travel for all vessels, including fishing boats and other sea transport, in affected areas.

“The suspension of voyages is a precautionary step to prevent maritime incidents and to protect the lives of our fisherfolk and passengers. We urge everyone to cooperate and heed official advisories until conditions improve,” CGDCV said in a statement.

Air travel also impacted

Meanwhile, air travel was also affected. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) announced the cancellation of several flights due to Tropical Depression Basyang as of 12 p.m. on February 5.

Cancelled flights include multiple Cebu–Siargao and Cebu–Surigao departures and arrivals involving Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, and Philippine Airlines.

Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before proceeding to the airport and to coordinate directly with their respective airlines for rebooking options and further updates.

Cebu City disaster preparedness

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival personally led the send-off of personnel from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) mid-afternoon yesterday at City Hall.

Archival commended the readiness and dedication of responders who will be deployed to different barangays to ensure public safety before, during, and after the typhoon while also praying for their safety.

He emphasized that the city government remains proactive and fully mobilized to protect residents, especially those in vulnerable areas, as weather conditions continue to be closely monitored.

Joining him were Councilors Nice Archival, JP Labella, Harry Eran, Dave Tumulak, and Alvin Arcilla, who expressed their support for the city’s disaster response teams.

Earlier in the day, the City’s CCDRMC chair, City councilor Dave Tumulak announced several precautionary measures to safeguard residents. The Cebu City government have also provided free rides to ensure safe mobility.

Aside from the cancellation of classes yesterday, several sea trips have been cancelled. The affected routes include trips from Cebu to Dipolog, Baybay, Tubigon, Surigao, Hilongos, Nasipit, Bohol, Camotes, and Leyte, among others.

Tumulak also disclosed that billboards across the city were ordered rolled down starting 9 a.m. to prevent accidents and power interruptions. Visayan Electric Company (VECO) has implemented a contingency plan, prepositioning service crews and heavy equipment to respond to outages.

The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) has deployed generator sets to pumping stations to secure water supply. The city government, in coordination with contractors, has prepositioned heavy equipment in rural barangays, while barangay responders are on heightened alert, equipped with rescue tools and conducting recoreda to inform residents of evacuation points.

The city’s technical official, Engineer Rene Plarisan, confirmed the deployment of heavy equipment in strategic sites: an excavator and payloader in Taptap, an excavator in Mabini, a payloader in Budlaan, an excavator in Binaliw, a payloader in Bonbon, and an excavator in Buot. These assets will allow immediate clearing operations and rescue efforts in case of flooding or road obstructions, he said.

Meanwhile, major malls including SM Seaside, SM City Cebu, Ayala Central Bloc, Ayala Center Cebu, Robinsons Galleria, and Gaisano Mall have committed to serve as temporary shelters, offering free cellphone charging and safe refuge for barangay and city response vehicles.

The Cebu City Government continues to urge the public to stay alert, heed official advisories, and coordinate with barangay officials and CCDRRMO for assistance. With responders deployed, equipment prepositioned, and shelters ready, the city stands prepared to face Basyang while prioritizing the safety and welfare of its residents.

Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue proactive steps

The cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue separately convened Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meetings, as they moved to prepare for the possible effects of Basyang, which is forecast to affect Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

In Lapu-Lapu City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) held its PDRA meeting last February 4, with Mayor Cindi King-Chan presiding.

The mayor directed concerned departments to mobilize personnel and pre-position disaster preparedness measures in barangays across both the city’s mainland and island communities.

During the meeting, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, (PAGASA)-Mactan weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino presented the latest forecast, saying Lapu-Lapu City may experience 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall as the tropical depression continues its track.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Nagiel Bañacia urged barangay officials and their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (BDRRMOs) to conduct rekorida and closely monitor their areas, particularly with the expected heavy rains in the coming days.

Mayor King-Chan reminded barangays to remain on high alert and to continuously monitor PAGASA advisories, stressing the importance of preparedness at the community level.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City also conducted its PDRA meeting yesterday afternoon, February 4, led by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano.

According to Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Buddy Ybañez in an interview yesterday, the meeting was attended by response cluster members from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), City Social Welfare Services (CSWS), City Health Office (CHO), together with the city’s emergency response teams, and the 27 barangay DRRM focal persons.

The meeting was aimed at assessing potential risks, identifying critical areas, and ensuring the readiness of all response clusters and the barangays.

Ybañez said preparedness measures reiterated during the meeting included barangay inspections, rekorida, and the preparation of contingency plans, particularly for flood- and coastal-prone areas. He added that PAGASA is monitoring a possible storm surge of one to two meters, while 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall is expected in Mandaue City.

Any preemptive evacuation will be at the discretion of barangay captains, with Barangay Emergency Response Teams and DRRM focal persons tasked to recommend and implement evacuations if conditions warrant, said Ybañez.

Residents were advised to remain vigilant, monitor weather updates, secure their belongings, and avoid complacency as Basyang approaches.

“Padayon nga magbinantayon, ilabi na sa mga weather update, iandam ang ilang kabtangan, ug dili lang ta mukumpyansa,” Ybañez reminded residents, especially those still apprehensive following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino in November last year.

Province-wide class suspension

Amid the typhoon, the Cebu Provincial Government suspended classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Thursday. Acting Governor Glenn Anthony Soco issued Executive Order No. 8, Series of 2026, formalizing the suspension “until further notice” in preparation for the effects of Basyang.

The order supports earlier class suspension declarations made by 46 local government units across the province. Soco cited provisions of the Local Government Code and DepEd Order No. 022, Series of 2024, which outlines guidelines for the automatic suspension of in-person classes and work during disasters and emergencies.

Cebu government reinforces readiness

Relief preparations are also in full swing, with Capitol employees conducting large-scale packing of family food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and kitchen kits at the Capitol Warehouse.

Personnel from the Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and the Cebu People’s Action Center are jointly handling the operations.

As of Thursday, the Capitol’s relief inventory includes 1,300 family food packs, 1,200 hygiene kits, 3,500 sleeping kits, and 1,500 kitchen kits ready for distribution. Officials said the goal is to ensure assistance can be delivered immediately to communities that may be affected by Basyang.

Code white alert

The Provincial Health Office has placed all hospitals under Code White Alert to ensure readiness for possible storm-related emergencies. This alert status ensures that medical personnel and resources are prepared for a potential influx of patients.

Retired Colonel Dennis Pastor, head of the PDRRMO, said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council met Wednesday, February 4, to discuss weather advisories, risk scenarios, and preparedness measures.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office reported the prepositioning of vehicles, emergency kits, and sanitation kits, while the Provincial Engineering Office outlined deployment plans for heavy equipment if needed.

Pastor said LGUs have begun conducting their own pre-disaster risk assessments, with mayors closely monitoring conditions in their respective areas.

“They (LGUs) are ready nag sige na sad sila’g pre-disaster risk assessment. And the mayors are on top of the situation already,” said Pastor.

Based on PAGASA data, Pastor said there is about an 80 percent probability in the current projected track of the storm, though the zone of uncertainty still covers the entire province of Cebu. Residents may start to experience stronger winds by Friday, February 6, he added.

Authorities urged the public to closely monitor official weather bulletins and follow instructions from their local chief executives.

Pastor also warned against believing or spreading misinformation, emphasizing that residents should rely only on verified advisories from LGUs and government agencies. “Always monitor our weather forecast and always get instructions from your local chief executives,” said the PDRRMO chief. “Always keep safe,” he added.