Scores Affected by Typhoon Marce
As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminisration (PAG-ASA) announced Typhoon Signal No. 1 over parts of the Visayas, including Negros Oriental, shipping vessels cancelled their trips from Dumaguete and Negros Oriental to other ports of destination due to Typhoon Marce. Many were stranded, including the pilgrim image of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) which was on its way to Cebu from Dipolog City. According to Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, the image was not scheduled to visit the Diocese of Dumaguete although it is along its route to and from Dipolog City, as told to him by Fr. Jun Naroja, the rector of the Basilica del Sto. Niño in Cebu. Because of the cancellation of trips, the image was given shelter at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City, to the delight of the Catholic faithful for the chance to venerate the image. A concelebrated mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, to be presided over by Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, and the image will remain at the cathedral until it can resume its trip back to Cebu if weather allows.
Festival activities moved to weekend
Also because of the typhoon, several activities for the celebration of the Dumaguete City Charter Day and fiesta were moved to Saturday and Sunday. The City Tourism Office announced that the Food Festival Duma Comida will be this weekend from 5 p.m. until midnight and the Dragon Boat Race will be on Sunday afternoon.
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is calling out to the general public to do their share in ensuring the safety of everybody by monitoring weather advisories. He also extended this call to all the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils of the local government units of the province to be prepared.
The Coast Guard Dumaguete Station, aside from the cancellation of any kind of sea travel, has also requested the suspension of any water-related activities of resorts and dive shops. This was in compliance to a memorandum circular issued by the Philippine Coast Guard that no vessel shall be allowed to sail, except to take shelter, should Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 or higher is announced to be within the its point of origin, route or destination.
