FOLLOWING instructions from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco to brace for typhoon “Odette”, area managers have conducted its standard preparations in anticipation of the said typhoon.

All managers and unit chiefs in Area 5 airports (Legazpi, Bulan, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Naga and Virac airports) have been alerted. Continuous monitoring of weather updates are being observed for appropriate application of mitigating measures.

Masbate Airport and Bicol International Airport are on normal operations, however, one flight from each airport was canceled due to strong winds. All passengers were assisted by airport personnel.

Romblon Airport prepared accordingly for the incoming typhoon. Airport personnel have conducted prepositioning of vehicle at its fire station, signages were removed to lessen damages. Further, airport security staff were briefed for readiness. Generator sets and wirings in the airport premise have also been inspected.

Tacloban Airport, placed under Signal Number 3, suspended its operations and canceled its flights about 12:30 PM today, until further notice due to worsened weather conditions.

Bohol Panglao Airport canceled the following commercial flights Thursday, December 16, 2021: PR 2773/2774, PR 2777/2778, PR 2372/2373. Additionally, all OWWA flights were also canceled.

Airports under Area 12 (Butuan, Siargao, Surigao, Bislig and Tandag airports) suspended operations effective 12:00PM Thursday, but airport frontliners are on standby. Siargao Airport canceled all of its flights today, and suspended airport and tower operations due to worsening weather conditions and Flight Service Station (FSS) window sustained crack. Butuan airport canceled all its flights and suspended tower operations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

General Santos airport canceled its PAL flight from Davao to Cebu, Cebu Pacific flight from CEB-DVO-CEB, but is still on normal operations. Local airlines have coordinated with CAAP for sheltering of aircraft.

Mati Airport experienced light rain showers and incurred no damages.

CAAP airport managers remain on high alert and are closely supervising their respective airports. Situation reports are also continuously monitored and consolidated by the CAAP Operations Center (OPCEN).

Cebu, Bohol courts suspended

Meanwhile, courts and its offices in Cebu and Bohol have suspended work from December 16 to 17 due to Typhoon Odette (Rai).

The following are the courts that suspended work as of 1:30 p.m. on Thursday: All courts in Danao City, Cebu suspended work on December 16; all courts and offices in the Lapu Lapu Hall of Justice suspended work on December 16; Hall of Justice Argao, Cebu from December 16 to 17; Cebu City Hall of Justice December 16 to 17; all first and second level courts and Office of the Clerk of Court in Tagbilaran City, Bohol December 16 to 17; nMandaue City Hall of Justice and courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Mandaue from December 16 to 17; and Oslob, Cebu Hall of Justice December 16 to 17. By JUN I. LEGASPI & HECTOR LAWAS